Service Manager – Fostering South West

Overview

As Service Manager you will lead the Fostering South West Hub, guiding a ~40-strong team and coordinating with 15 local authorities to recruit, support and retain foster carers. You will provide strategic direction, manage performance and governance, and drive innovations to improve carer experiences and placement outcomes. The role shapes regional policy and processes, ensuring inclusive, responsive services that deliver safe, stable homes for children and families. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity within a nationally funded partnership.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall direction and management of the Hub to deliver the foster carer journey from recruitment through to approval
• Lead Team Managers, specialist staff and key programmes
• Oversee performance, quality assurance, financial management and reporting to the Department for Education and partnership boards
• Collaborate with regional partners to drive innovation, manage risk and develop effective processes
• Ensure services are inclusive, responsive and focused on outcomes for children and families

Key requirements

• Substantial experience of service management
• Experience in partnership working and organisational change
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to lead high-performing teams
• Track record of delivering measurable improvements through collaboration and influence

• leadership
• strategic thinking
• collaboration
• performance management
• financial management
• reporting to government/partnership boards

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