Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency; IFA |Social Work Mgr

Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) |Social Work Mgr

Location:

Braelawn, Dunston, Stafford ST18 9AB
, UK

Job type:
Permanent / Full Time

Sector & subsector:
Childcare / Social Worker

Salary: £60,000.00 - £70,000.00 Annual

Are you an experienced and inspirational leader in fostering services, a qualified Social Worker with current registration
, driven by a passion to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people?

Family Care is a family‑owned independent fostering agency with over 30 years’ experience supporting children, young people, and foster carers across the Midlands and North West. Our therapeutic, child‑centred approach places relationships, stability, and positive outcomes at the heart of everything we do.

As Registered Manager
, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our fostering service, overseeing a committed team including a Practice Manager, Social Workers, Support Workers, and Administrative Staff. You will set a clear vision, lead with integrity, and ensure the service consistently meets Ofsted requirements, Fostering Regulations 2011, National Minimum Standards and our own high standards of care.

You will be accountable for the development and delivery of all fostering services within the registered agency, ensuring full compliance with statutory guidance, national minimum standards, and our Statement of Purpose. Safeguarding and the wellbeing of children and young people will remain central to all decision‑making.

Acting as an ambassador for Family Care, you will promote our child‑focused, outcomes‑driven ethos and work closely with the owners to support children, young people, and care leavers, including collaboration with our charity partner,
The Williamson Children’s Trust
.

This role covers our fostering services across the West
Midlands
, Staffordshire
, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, with hybrid working between home and our regional offices.

• Provide overall operational leadership of the fostering service as Registered Manager, ensuring full compliance with legislation, regulation, and Family Care Group policies
• Lead, manage, and develop staff through supervision, workload allocation, performance management, appraisals, disciplinary processes, and training plans
• Monitor and ensure the ongoing suitability, competence and development of foster carers, promoting safe, nurturing, and aspirational care environments
• Ensure services are developed and delivered in line with government agendas, statutory frameworks, and best practice
• Oversee the recruitment, assessment, training and supervision of foster carers and employees
• Act as Panel Advisor for the Fostering Panel
• Ensure a robust and effective 24‑hour professional support service for foster carers
• Contribute to strategic planning, service development and business growth
• Oversee financial reporting and budget management
• Build a highly motivated, innovative and collaborative team culture where change is positive, well‑communicated and child‑focused

• DipSW, CQSW, Degree in Social Work or equivalent
• Management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent)
• Registered with Social Work England
• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience within Independent Fostering in the last 5 years
• At least 1 year’s experience supervising and managing professional staff
• Proficient experience in undertaking Form F Assessments
• Working knowledge of CHARMS
• Willingness to participate in an out‑of‑hours rota
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel between Staffordshire and Lancashire offices

• Small, values‑led Independent Fostering Agency
• Therapeutic, relationship‑based approach
• Strong Ofsted history and reputation
• Direct access to decision‑makers
• Opportunity to shape and grow services

• Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 per annum, + car allowance + bonus
• Full‑time; permanent
• Hybrid working model (Staffordshire / Lancashire office base)
• 30 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• Contributory pension scheme and long‑service awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A supportive, family‑owned organisation where your leadership and…