Registered Manager – Fostering Team

£60,000 – £80,000 dependent on qualifications and experience. £100,000 OTE incl. performance and OFSTED “Outstanding” bonus.

We are currently looking to recruit an exceptional leader to take on the role of Registered Manager within our Fostering Service. Our primary objective is to provide each child with the highest level of care in order to help them develop a secure base and in turn achieve their full potential.

The Fostering Manager will lead a successful team, demonstrate best practice, work in partnership with internal and external partners in order for the service to ensure that children at C&C achieve the best possible outcomes. They will also as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting our Foster Carers to help them learn, develop and grow. The Manager will also work collaboratively with our in house independent SEMH school team, in house well-being and therapy team and in house residential care teams.

The post is permanent, full time (37.5 hours) per week. We offer a competitive Salary Range of £60,000 – £80,000 per annum based on qualifications and experience. Further benefits include:

• 36 days paid annual leave per year
• Loyalty scheme which rewards you with extra annual leave following 2 years of service
• Ofsted Outstanding judgement bonus
• Performance bonus that relates to progressive development of the fostering service which can increase the salary to £100,000.

As Fostering Manager you will be responsible for the day to day management of the Fostering Service. The role is to ensure that all areas of practice comply with and exceed the Care Standards and Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, Children Act and other related legislation and guidance, ensuring that all statutory requirements are met.

Full Job Description

Summary

The Registered Manager (Fostering) holds responsibility for the day-to-day management of the fostering service. Their role is to ensure that all areas of practice comply with and exceed the Care Standards and Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, Children Act and other related legislation and guidance and ensure that all statutory requirements are met.

The Registered Manager will lead a successful team, demonstrate best practice, and work in partnership with the other departments of the organisation, in order for the service to ensure that children at C&C achieve the best possible outcomes. They will also help foster carers learn, develop and grow within their role as a C&C foster carer.

The post holder will manage, develop and provide leadership to our well trained, positive multi-disciplinary staff team, and will ensure all services are delivered to the highest of standards; representing the Company at Local, Regional and National level as required.

Key Responsibilities

• To work alongside colleagues effectively regarding the development of the business including the recruitment of foster carers, liaison with Local Authorities, outside agencies.
• To effectively plan, grow and manage the team and the service to achieve the highest possible standards and quality of service delivery, primarily for children but also for Foster Carers.
• Ensure that the Statement of Purpose and Function is kept up to date and relevant alongside the development of the fostering service and its partners.
• To ensure the recruitment of staff and foster carers meets and exceeds the National Minimum Standards.
• To maintain policy, standards and development for the foster care service in line with National Care Standards and Company policy.
• To work with and share best practice with other foster care services to ensure consistency of standards across all areas of service.
• To be a key person in the development of innovation for C&C.
• To ensure the fostering panel’s constitution, membership, and practice exceeds national standards and regulations
• To work alongside the Senior Management in devising and executing agreed plans for the development of the service.
• To ensure that the service is ‘Ofsted ready’ at all times.
• Be a key person in the promotion of the C&C brand at Local, Regional and National level.

Other Duties

• To provide professional and exceptional leadership to all staff and foster carers.
• To train, develop and support staff and foster carers to grow within their roles.
• To maintain confidentiality at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act and GDPR guidance.
• To manage time effectively, prioritise workloads, plan ahead and achieve deadlines as necessary.
• To help create, manage and maintain robust and effective quality assurance systems.
• To build upon current relationships with Local Authorities as well as developing relationships with new Local Authorities.
• To provide a fast response and effective service to children, Foster Carers and local authorities.
• To promote research and best practice articles and guidance throughout the service.
• To ensure the fostering panel has sufficient staff members who are trained and available to allow the panel to function effectively.
• To manage the budget effectively and adhere to and contribute to the Annual Business Plan objectives as devised alongside the senior management team.
• To ensure adequate administrative support for the fostering agency is provided, and that all communication is accurate and efficient.
• To be competent in the use of CHARMS computerised information system.
• Monitor CHARMS to ensure all information is in place and up to date.
• Monitor compliance in relation to Care Plans, Placement Agreements, Foster Carer Reviews, DBS checks (or equivalent), up to date medicals, and other compliance requirements as set by regulation or company policy and take appropriate action where shortfalls are identified.
• Ensure all data management and data storage systems are maintained with adherence to data protection (or equivalent) and company policies and procedures.
• To participate in all aspects of HR management including staff management, recruitment, training, disciplinary proceedings, performance management, measurement and staff appraisal in line with safer recruitment and National Minimum Standards.
• To ensure effective and regular staff supervision and appraisal systems are implemented, thereby enabling effective monitoring of workload and professional development of staff.
• To investigate incidents or complaints in line with established procedures reporting as required by the Regularity Body responsible.
• Producing management information and preparing reports as required by Ofsted and the Directors of the service.
• To ensure all Health and Safety standards are fully met. To participate fully in Health and Safety activities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children and young people in line with appropriate legislation and company policies, and ensure all staff, carers and volunteers share this commitment.
• Monitor the continued suitability and competence of foster carers ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children/young people.
• Work with the social work team to help identify any needs within the foster family eg respite, activities, therapy, holidays, with all members of the child’s network, including contributing to all meetings and any other tasks defined.
• Ensure annual foster carer reviews take place within required timescales, providing written evidence of competence.
• Attend social, educations and leisure activities relating to the support of young people, children and foster carers.
• Ensure foster carers are supported in preparing young people for independent or semi independent living.
• Ensure foster carers are aware of wider support networks eg Fostering Network, BAAF
• Ensure the follow through of paperwork and procedures in relation to Critical Incidents and Notifiable Events to relevant parties including Ofsted within necessary timescales.
• Ensure the necessary Risk Assessments are completed in line with Company policy and Ofsted expectations.
• Ensure compliance with HCPC requirements necessary to retain job title and registration.
• Undertake training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post.
• Organise, attend and positively contribute to company meetings as required.
• Work alongside colleagues throughout the organisation to ensure that the therapeutic ethos of the company transcends effectively from management to staff and foster carers.
• Such other duties as may be deemed appropriate by the Directors of the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Qualification such as a Social Work qualification (BA/MA/DipSW) or equivalent and relevant to the role
• Registered with Social Work England

Desirable

• Management Qualification such as Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management or equivalent – or be working towards a management qualification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children within the Care System as well as, families and foster carers – preferably within a Fostering Agency or similar setting
• Proficient level of experience of undertaking Form F Assessments
• Experience of working with relevant client groups who present with high levels of complexity.
• A proven track record of managing a fostering service to a high standard.
• Previous line management experience, including supervision of staff ideally within a Foster Care provision or setting

Desirable

• Working within a Therapeutic Agency or setting
• Attendance and participation at Foster Carer Panels

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal , communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with carers, children, families and colleagues
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative as well as within a team
• Ability to build relationships and promote change.
• Computer literate for report and assessment writing
• Skills in providing consultation to other professionals and non-professional groups
• Ability to manage other professionals, celebrate best practice and challenge development areas.

Desirable

• Ability to facilitate, deliver and develop training courses, including Skills to Foster Course

Knowledge

Essential

• Good understanding of child development
• Knowledge of the Care Standards and Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, Children Act and other related legislation and guidance.
• Understanding of Child Protection & Safeguarding
• Knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents

Desirable

• A therapeutic understanding of the Attachment Model
• Knowledge of Ofsted Framework for Inspection of Fostering Agencies

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to continued professional and personal development.
• Professional credibility
• Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity
• Demonstrate a commitment to supervision and reflective practice.

Additional

• Driver with use of own car

About Channels & Choices

Channels and Choices (C&C) is an award winning, dynamic company specialising in therapeutic Children’s Residential Care, Fostering and Education services based in South East Kent. 100% of our services are judged ‘Outstanding’ or ‘good’ by Ofsted.

These are exciting times as Channels & Choices continues to expand and develop its Fostering provision and we are looking for someone to join our dynamic multi-disciplinary staff team who has a passion for promoting outstanding outcomes for children in care. Our bespoke ‘stepping stone’ residential to foster care step down program has been listed as a best practice piece for parliament as well as winning awards for our innovation.

We have an extensive training programme for all our staff and foster carers including the ARP (Attachment and Relationships Programme) delivered by Professor David Shemmings, OBE, Professor of Child Protection Research at the University of Kent. We are also working in partnership with Dan Hughes who delivers PACE and DDP training across our therapeutic community.

Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care. Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CV’s cannot be considered without a completed application form.

Channels & Choices are committed to ensuring that we are always recruiting, retaining and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our local community. We actively celebrate our staff’s different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome to apply for a job with Channels & Choices and our staff are supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.