Service Manager
Location: Enfield (Pavilion Business Centre, EN3)
Salary: £65,000 per annum
Job type: Full-time, Permanent (Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week)
About this Role
Our client is seeking an experienced and passionate Service Manager to lead the ongoing development and performance of an established fostering service, while also helping to shape a new specialist provision designed to support children and young people with complex needs.
This is a strategic leadership role combining operational oversight, quality improvement, and service development with the autonomy to influence practice, culture, and outcomes across the organisation. You’ll work closely with senior management to ensure compliance, drive performance, and deliver outstanding care standards to the existing service in line with Ofsted, Fostering Regulations (2011), and National Minimum Standards.
Key Responsibilities:
* Provide clear professional leadership and supervision to fostering teams, promoting a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and continuous improvement.
* Oversee all operational and compliance aspects of the service, ensuring safe, high-quality placements for children and young people.
* Lead on service planning, foster carer recruitment, retention, and quality assurance.
* Maintain readiness for Ofsted inspections, ensuring the service consistently meets or exceeds regulatory expectations.
* Build strong partnerships with local authorities, regulators, and external stakeholders to strengthen outcomes and agency reputation.
* Support innovation and development through evidence-based practice and reflective learning.
* Any other analogous duties.
About You:
* Qualified Social Worker (registered with Social Work England).
* Minimum 5 years’ post-qualifying experience in fostering, child protection, or children’s social care, with at least 2 years in a management role.
* Proven track record in leadership, compliance, safeguarding, and inspection readiness.
* Strong communication, analytical, and service improvement skills.
* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care (or willingness to obtain).
About the Company
An established independent fostering agency with over 15 years of experience delivering high-quality, child-centred care across London. The agency is now expanding its provision to include a specialist fostering service, maintaining its long-standing commitment to excellence in safeguarding, development, and carer support.