Fostering Community Project Lead (Hybrid)

Kerry Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Flexible and hybrid working options

Discounts (retail, travel, fitness)

Job summary

West Sussex County Council is seeking a Fostering Community Lead to oversee the six-local-authority pilot, recruit and support 20–35 Community Workers, and deliver a structured training programme. The role emphasizes safeguarding, collaboration with partners, and continuous service improvement.

You will monitor progress, manage budgets, and contribute to formal reporting, ensuring high standards and meaningful outcomes for children and foster families.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification, or an equivalent level of experience in a related field.
• Significant experience of working within children's services.
• Experience of ensuring the safeguarding of children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
• Experience of providing effective liaison, facilitation, case management and appropriate supervision to a team.
• Experience in understanding and using statistical and performance data.
• To be child focussed and able to promote the aims of the fostering service.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and verbally with a range of audiences, including external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, deliver and develop the Fostering Community Pilot across the South East region with six local authorities.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding and support of 20–35 Fostering Community Workers.
• Monitor project progress, budgets, risks and adapt strategies to maximise impact.
• Design and deliver a structured training programme and provide ongoing supervision and peer learning.
• Build relationships with fostering teams, workers and partner organisations to ensure safe, effective support.
• Evaluate pilot success, contribute to reporting and inform future service development.

Skills

Children's services experience

Safeguarding expertise

Team supervision & liaison

Data analysis skills

Excellent communication

Process design

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree level qualification or equivalent experience in related field

Job description

West Sussex County Council is seeking a Fostering Community Lead to oversee the six-local-authority pilot, recruit and support 20–35 Community Workers, and deliver a structured training programme. The role emphasizes safeguarding, collaboration with partners, and continuous service improvement.

You will monitor progress, manage budgets, and contribute to formal reporting, ensuring high standards and meaningful outcomes for children and foster families.