Referral Hub Director

National Fostering Group; Remote; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fostering organization is seeking a Referral Hub Director to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for referral hubs across England. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in children's services or fostering, with proven ability to lead multi-site teams. This role focuses on delivering high-quality, child-centered placements and needs a recognized social work qualification. A competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a flexible benefits platform, are offered.

Benefits

Up to 39 days annual leave

Minimum 9% Contributory Pension

Life Assurance

Flexible benefits platform

Occupational Health

Qualifications

• Strong background in children’s services or fostering.
• Proven ability to lead multi-site teams.
• In-depth knowledge of fostering legislation and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for referral hubs across England.
• Ensure high-quality, child-focused placements.
• Drive consistency across referral operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Child safeguarding

Performance management

Communication skills

Data-driven decision making

Education

Recognised social work qualification

Job description

Referral Hub Director

Location: National role with travel

Contract Type: 6 month fixed term contract

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: Competitive dependent on experience

Our Core Benefits include:

• Up to 39 days annual leave (including BH, One Moment in Time day and opportunity to buy 5 extra days)
• Minimum 9% Contributory Pension
• Life Assurance
• ‘The Hub’ discount marketplace
• EAP
• Occupational Health
• Sick pay
• Family Friendly leave
• Expenses and Mileage
• Tech Scheme

About the Group

Its official, we have been rated as a Great Place to Work 2025! 83% 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.

All of our fostering agencies across the UK are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ which we are extremely proud of.

We also offer a 4 day working week - this means 80% of the hours for 100% pay! This will be given following a successful 6 month probationary period and is a performance based benefit.

About the Role

The Referral Hub Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all referral hubs across England, with potential links to Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The role is responsible for ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, child-focused placements for children referred by local authorities, many of whom have complex needs. A key focus will be on achieving timely, well-matched and stable placements that support the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

The postholder will lead national efforts to drive consistency across referral operations, promote best practice and embed innovation. This includes improving placement success rates while maintaining robust safeguarding standards, meeting regulatory requirements and delivering against key performance targets.

You can find a full list of responsibilities on the attached Job Description.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong background in children’s services or fostering, and a proven ability to lead multi-site teams and deliver strategic objectives at a national or regional level. You will have in-depth knowledge of fostering legislation, safeguarding requirements and regulatory frameworks, alongside experience of improving referral and placement matching processes for children with complex needs.

The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in performance management, using data, KPIs and insight to drive continuous improvement and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. You will an excellent communicator and relationship builder, confident in working collaboratively with local authorities, foster carers and internal stakeholders. A recognised social work qualification, professional registration and the ability to travel regularly across the UK are essential for this role.

You can find a full list of criteria on the attached Person Specification.

Why work for us?

At National Fostering Group, our employee’s health and wellbeing are important to us. We offer an exceptional rewards package as well as access to our flexible benefits platform - so you can choose extra benefits that are suited to you. Below includes some of our offerings.

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.