Country Director - Scotland
Employer: The Fostering Network
Location: This is a hybrid role, with travel to our Glasgow office at least once a week.
Working hours: 35 Hours per week
Salary: £53,836 - £59,012
Closing date: Wednesday 6th May 2026
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Who we are
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, dedicated to empowering, enriching and supporting the relationships at the heart of the fostering community.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone with extensive experience of the fostering sector to assist with leading the work in one of our four nations. You will have experience of working with local authorities, key government officials and a broad range of key stakeholders.
A strategic thinker, collaborative, with excellent leadership skills and a wide range of experience. You will be a member of a leadership team or looking to progress your career to this level. You will bring a track record of delivering excellent outcomes in the field of social work, specifically fostering and care experienced children, along with a desire to continue to develop your skillset.
Additionally, you will have experience of managing budgets and able to demonstrate a knowledge of sound safeguarding practice.
What you’ll be doing
This is an exceptional opportunity for a high calibre professional with leadership experience to join our fantastic organisation. This post is one of four Country Directors, working with the CEO to deliver on our organisational strategic objectives.
The post will manage and lead on key initiatives in a specific country, drive forward the monitoring, impact and evaluation of our work and ensure continuous improvement through innovative models of practice. Have responsibility for developing and maintaining key stakeholder relationships and be responsible for securing grants, fundraising and engage in activity to promote TFN and respond to the needs of the sector. A key responsibility for the post holder is to ensure that our services and products are sector leading, evidence-based and child centred.
What we can offer you
38 days leave (including bank holidays)
A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
Flexible and hybrid working
Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
Enhanced sick pay
24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
Pension and life assurance
Contribution to eye tests and lenses
Season ticket loans
Our commitments to you
The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit.
If you identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant
If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process
We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share
Core Purpose:
We are seeking a talented individual to join our Leadership team. You will make a vital contribution helping us to sustain and expand our programmes across Scotland.
In this role you will help make a difference and improve the lives of foster families and of children and young people in foster care. You will also provide guidance and support to fostering services.
Primary Objectives:
Overall management and leadership of our work in a specific country
To work as a collaborative team of country specific directors across the UK
Drive forward the monitoring, impact and evaluation of our work
Develop and maintain key external stakeholder relationships, including national and local government, inspection and registration bodies, national organisations, fostering services, foster carers and all members
Oversee the development, delivery and roll out of sustainable, impactful programmes to improve outcomes for children and foster carers
Secure grants, fundraising and engage in activity to promote TFN and enable us to respond to the needs of the sector
Budget management
Identify and act on potential for innovation and collaboration
Engage and grow the individual and corporate membership of TFN; and maintain the organisation’s position as the leading fostering charity in the UK.
Safeguarding lead for the country
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities and accountabilities:
1. Overall management and leadership of our work in a specific country
To lead, develop and manage The Fostering Network’s work in Scotland in collaboration with other Country Directors, UK Directors, and Lead Managers, in their areas of activity.
Ensure that our work in Scotland aligns to local and national policy directives, legislation, regulation, and good practice guidance.
Demonstrate sound leadership and management of our staff members, volunteers and associates in Scotland, in accordance with TFN policies and procedures
Develop Scotland specific strategies and plans in line with our organisational strategy
2. To work as a collaborative team of country specific directors across the UK
Initiate, develop and increase opportunities to enhance our national reach through working closely and collaboratively with all country specific deputy directors
Share good practice, resources, programmes, toolkits and relevant documents
Create and agree a programme of areas for development related to our work and research findings.
Share the learning and resources from country specific pilots, pathfinders and programmes, liaising with funders to agree consent for wider roll out if applicable
3. Drive forward the monitoring, impact and evaluation of our work
Ensure impact monitoring is central to all work undertaken in the country and contribute to the organisational capture, analysis and reporting of this work.
Ensure that new concepts or programmes have clear monitoring processes in place to demonstrate impact.
Ensure systems are in place to evaluate our work in the specific country and aligned to wider organisational evaluation plans and processes
Overall responsibility for reporting requirements internally to trustees and SLT and externally, including governments and funders.
4. Develop and maintain key external stakeholder relationships, including national and local government, inspection and registration bodies, national organisations, fostering services, foster carers and all members
Act as a spokesperson and represent the organisation in Scotland
Support and advise the CEO or other visiting directors when undertaking public duties in Scotland
Develop and sustain a wide range of relationships to promote The Fostering Network’s work and ensure that The Fostering Network is in productive dialogue with its members
Build and grow our stakeholders in Scotland, building on all opportunities to develop productive, professional relationships which enhance our mission and vision
5. Oversee the development, delivery and roll out of sustainable, impactful programmes to improve outcomes for children and foster carers
Oversight of all current programme delivery, ensuring objectives are met or exceeded
Identify challenges and opportunities for sector improvement, work with others to translate these into future programmes, or concepts for change
Prepare proposals for projects, ensuring they meet sustainable, impactful outcomes for children and foster carers
6. Secure grants, fundraising and engage in activity to promote TFN and enable us to respond to the needs of the sector
Identify opportunities for project development based on the needs of the sector
Complete high quality funding applications and respond to tenders
Work in collaboration with UK directors, country directors and lead managers to create joint applications for funding as and when required
Maintain local oversight of funding opportunities and build local fundraising relationships
7. Budget management
To hold, manage and be responsible for budgets, approving and authorising expenditure in accordance with budgetary constraints and delegated authority.
To be responsible for setting, monitoring and meeting budget requirements
Uphold and adhere to organisational policies and procedures in relation to financial matters
8. Identify and act on potential for innovation and collaboration
Create opportunities for scoping out innovative and creative developments
Ensure space for regular team building, collaboration and creative thinking
Work closely and collaboratively with Lead Managers across the organisation to ensure successful delivery of our services and translation of innovative programmes at local level
9. Engage and grow the individual and corporate membership of TFN; and maintain the organisation’s position as the leading fostering charity in the UK.
Maintain and grow individual, organisational and associate membership in Scotland
Ensure high engagement and promotion of membership services and benefits at local and national level
Participate in and promote at a country specific level all national engagement campaigns, such as Foster Care Fortnight and other related activity
Facilitate and ensure effective methods for feedback between members and our UK wide membership services. Identify and address any gaps in provision or opportunities for improvements
10. Safeguarding lead for the country
Fulfil the role of safeguarding lead for all aspects of work in Scotland
Ensure compliance with policy and procedures
Work closely with wider safeguarding leads, taking collective responsibility for the improvement of our safeguarding oversight
Contribute to safeguarding reports, updates and the annual safeguarding trustee audit process
Main Stakeholders
In addition to their immediate team, this role-holder will particularly work with:
Senior Leadership Team
Scotland Team
Fundraising
Policy & Campaigns
Local authority Fostering Services
Independent Fostering Services
Foster carers
Stakeholders
What we’re looking for:
Essential Knowledge & Experience
Ability to work as a collaborative leader to meet wider corporate objectives of TFN
In-depth, current knowledge and understanding of foster care practice and children’s social care across the UK
Experience of working within statutory local authority social services department(s)
Experience of strategic planning and programme management including managing budgets
Experience of effective working with key government officials and a broad range of key stakeholders
Experience of effective leadership, line management and supervision
Experience of delivering effective, successful change management
Commitment and understanding of devolution and working across the UK to maximise consistency and parity for the fostering community
Essential Skills & Attitudes
Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills
Excellent communication skills with ability to engage foster carers, young people and staff at all levels
Ability to problem solve and apply sound judgement at all times
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
Highly organised with an ability to prioritise, plan and work in a systematic way
Excellent IT skills including confidence with video conferencing platforms (particularly Microsoft Teams and Office 365)
Ability to inspire trust and gain credibility with senior managers, practitioners, foster carers, young people and a diverse range of stakeholders
Self-starter with ability to work flexibly, travel and work evenings and weekends if necessary
Commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of information held by The Fostering Network
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Commitment to The Fostering Network’s core mission, vision and values
Desirable
Experience of working within or closely with the independent or third sector
Experience of working across a national remit
Care experienced or lived experience of foster care
Experience of delivering foster care as a practitioner in local government or the independent sector
Qualifications & minimum requirements for the role
Degree level or equivalent in a related field
Management qualification or evidence of effective management and leadership skills
Significant knowledge and understanding the fostering sector
Safeguarding qualification or evidence of sound safeguarding practice and knowledge base
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