Head of Quality and Safeguarding

The National Fostering Group; Bolton; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Bonus schemes

Pension

Job summary

The National Fostering Group is seeking a Head of Quality and Safeguarding to lead quality assurance, safeguarding practices and regulatory compliance across the group. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on guidance to ensure safe, high-quality services for children and young people.

Based primarily at home with regular travel to sites, the post requires a social work qualification, proven leadership, and ability to translate data into improvements.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and strong background in quality assurance, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify risks and translate findings into improvements.
• Experience leading teams and collaborating with senior stakeholders to drive change.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of quality assurance frameworks and safeguarding practices.
• Oversee audits, analyse performance data and drive continuous improvement across the Group.
• Provide expert safeguarding guidance and support regulatory inspections and Ofsted requirements.

Job description

Job Title: Head of Quality and Safeguarding

Location: Home Based with regular travel

Location: Bolton, BL1 4AG

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Salary: Competitive plus car allowance

About National Fostering Group

It's official, we have been rated as a Great Place to Work 2025!

88% of employees at National Fostering Group say it is a great place to work, compared to 54% of employees at a typical UK based company! Please read more about why our employees love working here: https://www.greatplacetowork.co.uk/certified-company/1574411

With over 20 years' experience, National Fostering Group is the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK with a community of over 2,500 foster carers.

As a Group, we work with Local Authorities to provide the highest quality of care for children and young people. All of our fostering agencies are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ which we are extremely proud of.

About the Role

As Head of Quality and Safeguarding, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and compliant fostering services across the Group. You will lead the development and implementation of quality assurance frameworks, safeguarding practices and risk-based approaches that identify emerging concerns and drive early intervention.

Working closely with Senior Leaders, Registered Managers and Regional teams, you will oversee audits, analyse performance data and identify opportunities to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children and young people. You will also provide expert safeguarding guidance, support regulatory compliance and Ofsted inspections and promote a proactive culture of shared learning, accountability and continuous improvement across the Group.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced and influential leader who holds a recognised Social Work qualification and has a strong background in quality assurance, safeguarding and regulatory compliance within children's services. You will have excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify emerging risks, interpret complex information and translate findings into meaningful improvements.

With proven experience of leading teams, managing competing priorities and working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, you will be confident providing expert guidance, challenging practice constructively and driving positive change.

You will bring a thorough understanding of safeguarding legislation, fostering regulations and Ofsted requirements, alongside a proactive approach to risk management and service improvement. You will also be willing to travel across the Group's services as required to support teams, maintain strong working relationships and ensure consistent standards of practice.

Above all, you will be passionate about maintaining the highest standards of care and safeguarding to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you. Just some of the things on offer:

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, increasing with service up to 32 days + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
• Bonus schemes
• Generous salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options
• Salary sacrifice Eco Car Scheme and Cycle Scheme
• Tech benefit

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Company: The National Fostering Group

Salary: Competitive

Hours: Full Time

Location: Bolton, BL1 4AG

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 27 Oct 2026

Closing date: 16 Nov 2026