Fostering Service Manager

Get Staffed Online Recruitment Limited; Enfield; On-site; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Service Manager in Enfield to oversee and develop a fostering service. The ideal candidate will be a qualified Social Worker with significant management experience in children's social care. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with regulations, leading fostering teams, and enhancing service quality. The role promises a competitive salary and offers the opportunity to drive innovative practices in child-centered care.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in fostering or children’s social care.
• At least 2 years in a management role.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision to fostering teams.
• Oversee operational and compliance aspects of the service.
• Lead on service planning, foster carer recruitment.
• Maintain readiness for Ofsted inspections.
• Build partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders.
• Support innovation and development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Service improvement

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care

Job description

Service Manager

Location: Enfield (Pavilion Business Centre, EN3)

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Job type: Full-time, Permanent (Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week)

About this Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and passionate Service Manager to lead the ongoing development and performance of an established fostering service, while also helping to shape a new specialist provision designed to support children and young people with complex needs.

This is a strategic leadership role combining operational oversight, quality improvement, and service development with the autonomy to influence practice, culture, and outcomes across the organisation. You’ll work closely with senior management to ensure compliance, drive performance, and deliver outstanding care standards to the existing service in line with Ofsted, Fostering Regulations (2011), and National Minimum Standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear professional leadership and supervision to fostering teams, promoting a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee all operational and compliance aspects of the service, ensuring safe, high-quality placements for children and young people.
• Lead on service planning, foster carer recruitment, retention, and quality assurance.
• Maintain readiness for Ofsted inspections, ensuring the service consistently meets or exceeds regulatory expectations.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, regulators, and external stakeholders to strengthen outcomes and agency reputation.
• Support innovation and development through evidence-based practice and reflective learning.
• Any other analogous duties.

About You

• Qualified Social Worker (registered with Social Work England).
• Minimum 5 years’ post-qualifying experience in fostering, child protection, or children’s social care, with at least 2 years in a management role.
• Proven track record in leadership, compliance, safeguarding, and inspection readiness.
• Strong communication, analytical, and service improvement skills.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care (or willingness to obtain).

About the Company

An established independent fostering agency with over 15 years of experience delivering high-quality, child-centred care across London. The agency is now expanding its provision to include a specialist fostering service, maintaining its long-standing commitment to excellence in safeguarding, development, and carer support.