Fostering Services Lead | Safeguarding & Recruitment (Hybrid)

Randstad Care AS; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive hourly rate

Leadership opportunity

Meaningful impact

Job summary

Randstad Care in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Service Manager - Fostering to provide strategic and operational leadership across the fostering service. You will oversee the assessment, approval, and ongoing support of foster carers, When I Am Ready placements, connected carers, SGO carers, and supported lodgings providers.

The role requires significant management experience in fostering or children's social care, with responsibility for safeguarding, quality assurance, and continuous

Qualifications

• A degree in Social Work or an equivalent qualification.
• Active registration with Social Care Wales.
• Significant management and leadership experience within fostering or children's social care services.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, fostering legislation, regulatory requirements, and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrable experience in managing complex decisions, leading teams, and improving service performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the fostering service, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and best practice standards.
• Lead safeguarding decisions, referrals, work allocation, and critical incident responses to protect children and young people.
• Directly supervise Principal Social Workers and lead an experienced multidisciplinary team.
• Act as Panel Advisor to the Fostering Panel, working closely with panel administrators to ensure effective and efficient panel operations.
• Collaborate with the Foster Wales Regional Development Manager, Regional Marketing Officer, and Recruitment Support Officers to improve foster carer recruitment and retention.
• Drive service performance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and present performance updates and reports directly to the Children's Management Team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and child-centred practice throughout the service.

Job description

Randstad Care in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Service Manager - Fostering to provide strategic and operational leadership across the fostering service. You will oversee the assessment, approval, and ongoing support of foster carers, When I Am Ready placements, connected carers, SGO carers, and supported lodgings providers.

The role requires significant management experience in fostering or children's social care, with responsibility for safeguarding, quality assurance, and continuous