Regional Development Manager – Substitute Family Care

We are looking for an experienced and driven leader to join a Welsh Authority's Children's Services on a maternity cover basis. As Regional Development Manager for Substitute Family Care, you will lead the development of high-quality, innovative fostering services across the region - shaping strategy, driving performance, and championing best practice. You will have direct oversight of the regional front door for fostering recruitment, manage a small team of dedicated staff, and play a central role in the regional governance of Foster Wales. What you'll be doing * Leading the regional work programme for fostering services, including planning, delivery and improvement * Using the national performance framework to shape regional priorities and generate plans for improvement * Representing the region at national Foster Wales meetings and reporting to governance boards * Managing a team including a Regional Marketing Officer, Recruitment Support Officers, Training Officer, and Resource Assistant * Engaging with local authorities across the region to develop and implement shared objectives * Working in partnership with operational managers, social work services, voluntary agencies and the third sector * Ensuring children, young people and families are meaningfully involved in service development * Reporting regularly to Heads of Children's Services and preparing business cases as required What we're looking for * Proven experience in a senior leadership role within fostering, children's services or a related area * Strong understanding of fostering policy, practice standards and the Foster Wales framework * Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills - from service users to senior leaders * Experience of managing and developing teams * Ability to analyse performance data and translate insights into actionable improvement plans * A commitment to equality, safeguarding and promoting positive outcomes for children and young people * Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends when required