Head of Fostering

Head of Fostering & Young Adult Placement

Location: Based in Livingston

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £57,457 + Benefits

Closing Date: 21/08/2026

21 HSC are delighted to have been exclusively retained by Moore House Group to recruit for this exceptional leadership role. Moore House Group is a highly respected organisation with a strong reputation for delivering sector-leading, trauma-informed care, and opportunities of this calibre are extremely rare within the fostering and young adult placement sector.

We are recruiting for a Head of Fostering and Young Adult Placement (YAP) - a strategic, commercially minded leader who can drive service growth, maintain exceptional care standards, and inspire a high-performing team. This role suits an experienced social work professional with strong trauma-informed practice, regulatory expertise, and a passion for improving outcomes for children, young people, and carers.

The Role

You will provide executive leadership and full operational oversight of the organisation’s fostering and young adult placement services, shaping their strategic direction and driving sustainable growth across Scotland.

Key priorities include:

• Leading the organisation’s strategic development and contributing at senior management level.
• Maintaining Grade 6 (Excellent) Care Inspectorate ratings across all areas.
• Designing and delivering innovative carer recruitment and retention strategies to grow the service to around 50 full-time foster families.
• Championing the service across Scotland, building strong relationships with local authorities, health boards, and commissioning teams.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance, financial accountability, and high-quality reporting to senior executives and the board.
• Providing expert oversight of child and adult protection, safeguarding practice, and risk management.
• Leading, motivating, and developing a skilled staff team, including supervision, appraisals, and CPD planning.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking leader with:

• A professional social work qualification (BA Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent).
• 2–5+ years of progressive management experience within social work or family placement services.
• Strong expertise in child and adult protection, safer caring, and trauma-informed practice.
• Strategic leadership capability, resilience, and a growth-focused mindset.
• Confidence working with marketing teams to deliver public-facing recruitment campaigns.
• A track record in service development, quality assurance, or fostering within an IFP (preferred).

Why This Role Matters

This is a chance to shape a service that genuinely changes lives - strengthening families, improving stability for children, and expanding opportunities for young adults. You’ll be joining an organisation with an outstanding reputation and a commitment to excellence, innovation, and The Promise.

How to Apply

If you’re an inspiring leader ready to drive meaningful change in fostering and young adult placements, we’d love to hear from you.

Click "Apply" and submit your up-to-date CV. For more information and a detailed job description, please contact Steve More, Sean Carruthers or Danielle Frame at 21 HSC.

Suitable candidates will be contacted promptly to arrange an initial face-to-face screening call, either in person or via video before formally submitting candidates for interview.