Social Work Service Manager - Fostering Service

• Take on the role of Registered Manager for our IFA, preparing for and managing all aspects of regulatory inspections.
• Lead and develop teams within the Fostering Service, aligning service plans with organisational objectives to maintain high standards of care.
• Establish and nurture effective partnerships with relevant associations and organisations to support and develop foster carers in line with agency expectations.
• Play a strategic role in ensuring our services align with current and emerging local and national policies, particularly in safeguarding.
• Ensure prompt and appropriate responses to safeguarding concerns and referrals, adhering to statutory requirements and policy guidelines.
• Recruit, lead, and motivate staff, overseeing performance management and development plans to enhance team effectiveness.
• Implement a performance-driven culture, conducting audits and quality assurance processes to ensure service excellence and risk management.
• Promote access to services for prospective foster carers by maintaining relevant information and eligibility criteria.
• Monitor outcomes for children and young people, identifying areas for improvement and implementing development plans to enhance their care experience.
• Actively contribute to fostering panels and boards, ensuring robust management participation for quality assurance and corporate parenting.
• Manage change initiatives in alignment with evolving social care agendas to ensure service relevancy and continuity.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective audit activities, incorporating lessons learned into service delivery.
• Provide expert advice to stakeholders on policy and practice developments within the social care framework.
• Ensure the voices of children, young people, and carers inform service development and delivery.
• Participate in the on-call duty rota to provide responsive support as needed.

• 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 a focus on looked after children and regulated services.
• Proficiency in navigating regulatory frameworks and achieving positive inspection outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability in developing business strategies and implementing innovative operational plans.
• Proven track record in financial management and achieving balanced budgets.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, including providing professional supervision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience in stakeholder engagement.
• Minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in a relevant discipline or service.
• Sound understanding of effective management practices, service planning, and performance management.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and awareness of diverse needs within the community.
• Proficiency in ICT, including electronic case management systems and Microsoft Office packages.

• Generous Annual Leave: All employees enjoy 28 days of annual leave per year, pro rata for part-time employees, in addition to bank holidays. This increases to 33 days after 5 years of continuous service.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme: Take advantage of our scheme to purchase up to 30 additional days of leave per year based on your weekly contractual working hours.
• Pension Options: Join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with contributions based on your salary, supplemented by a significant organisation contribution. Opt for the 50/50 scheme to pay half the normal contribution rate while still building a pension, and make additional voluntary contributions.
• Life Assurance and Ill-health Protection: Receive immediate life assurance cover of 3 times your annual salary from day one, along with protection in case of ill-health.
• Equality and Diversity: We're committed to equality of opportunity for all, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Agile Working Arrangements: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including part-time, job sharing, term-time only, annualised hours, and flexi-time, subject to service requirements.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Access confidential support for personal or professional issues, including telephone counseling, legal advice, bereavement support, and medical information, available 24/7.
• Access to Work Mental Health Support Service: Receive free, confidential support for mental health issues affecting work performance over a 9-month period.
• Training and Development Opportunities: Access a wide range of training options, including courses, qualifications, online learning, apprenticeships, coaching, mentoring, and bespoke training, tailored to support your role and ongoing professional development.
• Social Work Support: Benefit from specialised training such as Signs of Safety, alongside access to multi-agency training, research resources, and coverage of social work England registration fees.
• Retention Bonuses: Social work roles are eligible for retention bonuses, reflecting our commitment to retaining skilled and dedicated staff.
• Continuous Improvement: We're dedicated to building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce, promoting innovation and creativity while prioritising the well-being of children, young people, and families.

Sanctuary Personnel