Regional Development Manager – Fostering

3 Month Contract With A local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead the development, improvement and delivery of regional fostering services across Foster Wales Cardiff and Foster Wales Vale of Glamorgan, ensuring the provision of high-quality, innovative and effective fostering services that achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and foster carers.

The postholder will drive regional collaboration, service improvement and best practice across fostering services, working closely with local, regional and national partners to strengthen fostering provision and recruitment. The role will provide leadership for regional fostering initiatives, oversee fostering recruitment pathways, manage key performance information and support the implementation of national and regional fostering priorities.

Working within a complex partnership environment, the Regional Development Manager will act as a key ambassador for Foster Wales, promoting fostering services, influencing stakeholders and supporting transformational change across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of regional fostering improvement programmes across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
• Promote best practice and consistency across regional fostering services.
• Support the implementation of Foster Wales regional and national priorities.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead on regional service development initiatives and improvement projects.
• Manage and coordinate the regional fostering work programme.
• Oversee the regional fostering recruitment front door and enquiry management process.
• Manage regional fostering recruitment staff and support workforce development activities.
• Monitor the fostering recruitment journey and identify opportunities to improve conversion rates and outcomes.
• Analyse performance data and trends to identify strengths, gaps, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Produce regular reports and performance updates for local, regional and national stakeholders.
• Utilise the National Fostering Performance Framework and key performance indicators to inform service development.
• Develop and implement action plans arising from performance analysis and service reviews.
• Build strong relationships with foster carers, partner agencies, local authorities and community groups.
• Act as a key representative and spokesperson for the service at meetings, events and partnership forums.
• Deliver presentations, briefings and public engagement activities to a range of audiences.
• Support regional and national fostering recruitment campaigns and promotional activities.
• Oversee the management and development of the Foster Wales Cardiff website and associated digital engagement platforms.
• Ensure fostering services remain responsive to national policy developments and sector changes.
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches to fostering recruitment, retention and support.
• Lead and support organisational change initiatives within fostering services.
• Promote collaborative working across Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan and wider Foster Wales networks. Ensure compliance with fostering regulations, policies and service standards.

Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience within Fostering Services, Children's Social Care or a related service area.
• Experience managing service improvement, change programmes or transformational projects.
• Experience developing and maintaining successful partnerships across multiple organisations.
• Experience managing staff, service performance and operational delivery.
• Experience analysing performance information, trends and service data.
• Strong understanding of fostering services and the needs of looked after children.
• Experience producing reports, briefings and presentations for senior stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Confidence presenting information at management meetings, public events and partnership forums.
• Ability to work independently and drive initiatives forward with minimal supervision.
• Experience managing complex priorities and delivering outcomes within challenging environments.
• Experience using digital systems, reporting tools and performance management frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build consensus and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable

• Current knowledge of fostering legislation, policy and best practice.
• Knowledge of challenges affecting looked after children and foster carers.
• Experience working within Foster Wales or a regional fostering partnership environment.
• Management qualification or equivalent leadership experience.
• Social Work qualification or relevant professional qualification.
• Experience using SharePoint, data management systems and performance reporting tools.
• Website management or digital communications experience. Experience working within Local Government Children's Services.

Additional Information

• Location: Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan
• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments