Registered Manager

Family Care Group; Stafford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned independent fostering agency is seeking a Registered Manager to lead its fostering services in the UK. The role involves strategic and operational leadership, ensuring compliance with relevant standards, and managing a dedicated team. Candidates must possess a degree in Social Work, relevant management experience, and have a passion for improving outcomes for children. The position offers a salary of £60,000 - £70,000, with hybrid working options and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Car allowance

Bonus

30 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• 2 years' relevant experience in Independent Fostering within the last 5 years.
• 1 year’s experience supervising and managing staff.
• Registered with Social Work England and possess a full UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for the fostering service.
• Oversee recruitment, assessment, and training of staff and foster carers.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and regulatory standards.

Skills

Leadership

Social Work

Compliance Assessment

Performance Management

Education

DipSW, CQSW, Degree in Social Work, or equivalent

Management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent)

Tools

CHARMS

Job description

Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) | Social Work Mgr

Location: Braelawn, Dunston, Stafford ST18 9AB, UK

Job type: Permanent / Full Time

Sector & subsector: Childcare / Social Worker

Salary: £60,000.00 - £70,000.00 Annual

Are you an experienced and inspirational leader in fostering services, a qualified Social Worker with current registration, driven by a passion to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people?

About Us

Family Care is a family-owned independent fostering agency with over 30 years’ experience supporting children, young people, and foster carers across the Midlands and North West. Our therapeutic, child-centred approach places relationships, stability, and positive outcomes at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

As Registered Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our fostering service, overseeing a committed team including a Practice Manager, Social Workers, Support Workers, and Administrative Staff. You will set a clear vision, lead with integrity, and ensure the service consistently meets Ofsted requirements, Fostering Regulations 2011, National Minimum Standards and our own high standards of care.

You will be accountable for the development and delivery of all fostering services within the registered agency, ensuring full compliance with statutory guidance, national minimum standards, and our Statement of Purpose. Safeguarding and the wellbeing of children and young people will remain central to all decision-making.

Acting as an ambassador for Family Care, you will promote our child-focused, outcomes-driven ethos and work closely with the owners to support children, young people, and care leavers, including collaboration with our charity partner, The Williamson Children’s Trust.

This role covers our fostering services across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire, with hybrid working between home and our regional offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall operational leadership of the fostering service as Registered Manager, ensuring full compliance with legislation, regulation, and Family Care Group policies
• Lead, manage, and develop staff through supervision, workload allocation, performance management, appraisals, disciplinary processes, and training plans
• Monitor and ensure the ongoing suitability, competence, and development of foster carers, promoting safe, nurturing, and aspirational care environments
• Ensure services are developed and delivered in line with government agendas, statutory frameworks, and best practice
• Oversee the recruitment, assessment, training, and supervision of foster carers and employees
• Act as Panel Advisor for the Fostering Panel
• Ensure a robust and effective 24-hour professional support service for foster carers
• Contribute to strategic planning, service development, and business growth
• Oversee financial reporting and budget management
• Build a highly motivated, innovative, and collaborative team culture where change is positive, well-communicated, and child-focused

What We’re Looking For

Essential Requirements:

• DipSW, CQSW, Degree in Social Work, or equivalent
• Management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent)
• Registered with Social Work England
• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience within Independent Fostering in the last 5 years
• At least 1 year’s experience supervising and managing professional staff
• Proficient experience in undertaking Form F Assessments
• Working knowledge of CHARMS
• Willingness to participate in an out-of-hours rota
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel between Staffordshire and Lancashire offices

Why Join Family Care?

• Small, values-led Independent Fostering Agency
• Therapeutic, relationship-based approach
• Strong Ofsted history and reputation
• Direct access to decision-makers
• Opportunity to shape and grow services

What We Offer:

• Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 per annum, + car allowance + bonus
• Full-time; permanent
• Hybrid working model (Staffordshire / Lancashire office base)
• 30 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• Contributory pension scheme and long-service awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A supportive, family-owned organisation where your leadership and impact are genuinely valued

Safeguarding

Family Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent employment.

Work with us

We employ people with a range of Social Care experience including Social Workers, Educators and Level 3 Qualified Residential Care staff.

However, we also welcome applications from individuals with no work experience in social care, but who have a wealth of life experience and a desire to make a difference.

Our core values:

Together, we are AGILE

Aspire

To be the best we can be

Grow

Continuously improve and develop

Innovate

Think outside the box

Legacy

Leave a positive impact

Ethical

Always do the right thing

Investors in people

Family Care are accredited ‘Investors in People’ since our inception and strive to maintain that level of accreditation.

Since our early days we have nurtured some of the brightest talent in the social care industry by continuously investing in and supporting their development.

Growth and development:

We have supported staff to complete their Social Work degree and Management Qualifications, and have a well-planned training calendar of events throughout the year to ensure that you are always at the forefront of new developments in Social Care and Education.

Our holistic approach to staff engagement and retention is underpinned by the Secure Base Model.

So, if you want an employer who wants you to be the best and will give you the best in return, Family Care could be the place for you.

Secure Base Model

Family owned and operated since 1988

Join the family

Our mission is to significantly improve children’s lives. To do that we need help from people who share our passion and work ethic