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SalaryAre you a passionate leader with a commitment to improving the lives of children and young people in care? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can make a real difference? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as the Service Manager of our Independent Fostering Agency!
About Us: We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to children and young people in need, ensuring they have a safe and nurturing environment to thrive. Our Independent Fostering Agency plays a vital role in matching foster carers with children and young people, providing ongoing support, training, and guidance to ensure positive outcomes.
Overall Purpose of the Post: As the Registered Manager of our IFA, you will be responsible for all aspects of effective and efficient leadership of the staff and fostering operation. You will ensure the service is well-organized, appropriately staffed, and delivers the highest quality service to foster carers and the young people in our care. Your role will involve developing operational delivery plans, setting targets, managing performance, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Become the Registered Manager for the IFA, undertaking all duties commensurate with the role, including preparation for inspections and subsequent action planning.
- Lead and develop the teams within the Fostering Service, systematically reviewing progress to maintain consistently high standards.
- Establish effective partnership arrangements with relevant organizations to provide ongoing support, training, and retention of foster carers.
- Take a strategic role in ensuring safeguarding and other social care services meet current and emerging local and national policies.
- Recruit, select, lead, and motivate staff, ensuring performance management and development plans contribute to high team performance.
- Introduce and sustain a performance culture, ensuring clear and concise reporting for various purposes, with a focus on quality analysis, planning, and risk assessment.
- Monitor outcomes for children and young people in care, identifying areas for improvement and implementing development plans.
- Contribute to fostering panels and boards, actively participating in quality assurance and corporate parenting initiatives.
- Manage change in response to government agendas for social care, ensuring the service is fit for purpose and supportive of seamless service provision.
Person Specification:
- Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with extensive post-qualifying experience in statutory social care practice and management.
- Broad management experience across various social care roles, with significant experience in managing functions such as looked after children and regulated services.
- Previous experience as a registered manager of an IFA is desirable.
- Sound understanding of effective management practices, including service planning, performance management, and staff development.
- Excellent influencing, negotiating, and advocacy skills, with the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
- High-level written communication skills and proficiency in ICT, including electronic case management systems.
- Awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and other people's needs, with a commitment to promoting equality.
