Director of Family Based Care - North East Regional care Co-operative

This position is hosted by Durham County Council.

We are seeking an exceptional senior leader to take on the pivotal role of Director of Family Based Care for the North East Regional Care Co-operative (RCC) – a new and ambitious partnership bringing together 12 Local Authorities to transform how family-based care is designed, delivered and sustained across the region.

Reporting to the Chief Executive of the Regional Care Co-operative and forming a key part of the regional leadership team, you will hold overall responsibility for delivering the national requirements for regional end-to-end fostering hubs, as part of a broader strategic regional approach to Family Based Care through Foster with North East (FwNE).

You will lead the implementation of the agreed Locality Delivery Model, with full accountability for meeting national minimum standards and requirements. This is a critical role in establishing a coherent, high-quality and sustainable regional offer that improves outcomes for children, young people and foster carers across the North East.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a new regional system from the ground up – designing structures, building teams, embedding new ways of working and positioning the North East as a national leader in Family Based Care.

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with extensive experience of leading fostering services at a senior level, within a Local Authority or an Independent Fostering Agency. You will bring strong system leadership, financial and commercial acumen, and significant political awareness, with a proven ability to lead complex change, establish new services and deliver results at scale.

This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in shaping a new regional Family Based Care system and delivering lasting impact for children and young people across the North East.

Applications should be made via Penna. For full details and to apply, please visit www.durhamleadership.co.uk, where you can upload your CV and supporting statement directly through the application portal.

Please ensure your personal statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria and, where possible, the desirable skills and experience outlined in the person specification. Candidates who do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact our retained consultant at Penna, Nick Raper on 07715 690463.