Service Manager

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for driving improvement, innovation and partnership working? Fostering South West are seeking a Service Manager to lead our regional fostering hub, overseeing a team of around 40 staff and working collaboratively with 15 local authorities to strengthen foster carer recruitment, retention and support across the South West.
Fostering South West is a Department for Education-funded regional partnership that supports fostering recruitment and retention across 15 local authorities in the South West. Through targeted marketing, early support for prospective foster carers, and a shared regional approach, the Hub works to increase the number, quality and diversity of fostering placements, helping to ensure more children can grow up in safe, stable and loving homes.
In this strategic leadership role, you will provide overall direction and management of the Hub, ensuring the successful delivery of the foster carer journey from recruitment through to approval. You will lead Team Managers, specialist staff and key programmes, while overseeing performance, quality assurance, financial management and reporting to the Department for Education and partnership boards. Working closely with regional partners, you will drive innovation, manage risk, develop effective processes and ensure services remain responsive, inclusive and focused on achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

We are looking for an inspirational leader with substantial experience of service management, partnership working and organisational change. You will have strong strategic thinking skills, the ability to lead high-performing teams, and a track record of delivering measurable improvements through collaboration and influence. If you are committed to increasing the number and diversity of foster carers, improving the experience of prospective carers, and shaping the future of fostering across the region, we would love to hear from you.
Please ensure you have read the eligibility statement before applying.

We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.
Eligibility Statement
This opportunity is open exclusively to employees of, and Foster Carers in, the Local Authorities that form the Fostering South West partnership. Applications will only be accepted from individuals currently represented by one of the following partner authorities:
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Bristol City Council
Cornwall Council
Devon County Council
Dorset Council
Gloucestershire County Council
Council of the Isles of Scilly
North Somerset Council
Plymouth City Council
Somerset Council
South Gloucestershire Council
Swindon Borough Council
Torbay Council
Wiltshire Council
Please note that applicants who are not currently represented by one of the above Local Authorities will not be eligible for consideration for this role. This vacancy is being advertised as a partnership opportunity across the Fostering South West member authorities.