Regional Development Manager, National Fostering Framework

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack

Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.

We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.

( Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)

For further information about this post please contact Melvin Craig Panther on 01286682660

Interview date to be confirmed.

Application forms and further details available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH

Tel: 01286 679076

E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 25/09/2025

The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.

If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.

Person Specification

Personal attributes
Essential
Ability to motivate others to meet objectives, in a supportive way

Problem solving abilities

Resilience and determination

Must possess a full valid driving licence and the use of a car

Willingness to work outside normal office hours as necessary

Willingness to travel across Wales

Desirable
Flexible in relation to working hours.

An interest in pre-planning relevant packages of training and to develop new ways of working

Qualifications and relevant training
Essential
Degree in social work or relevant qualification to the post.

Management training (or evidence of competency in staff management)

Desirable
Specific qualifications in relation to work with children and young people.

Management qualification.

Relevant experience
Essential
Experience of working in Fostering Services

Experience of or knowledge of the issues facing children's services Looked After Children

Experience of writing reports

Experience of working with other stakeholders outside the local authority

Understanding and knowledge of Maethu Cymru

Desirable
Experience of managing or contributing to management of a budget

Post qualifying experience in a child care social work setting.

Skills and specialist knowledge
Essential
Able to demonstrate self-motivation and an ability to work on own initiative within agreed parameters.

Ability to organise self and others to prioritise work and achieve targets.

Ability to motivate

Understanding of the importance of management information in the monitoring, planning and review of services

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with service users, staff, managers, other agencies and public

Ability to enable service users and staff to contribute to the planning and development of services

Able to chair effectively a range of meetings

Good IT skills and a commitment to technology-based solutions

Desirable
-

Language requirements
Listening and Speaking - Higher
Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions.Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.

Reading and Understanding - Higher
Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal.Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.

Writing - Higher
Present written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinion in Welsh and English (help is available to check the work).

Job Description

Purpose of the post
• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.

• To have lead responsibility for developing and implementing a regional work programme for fostering services.

• To promote delivery of Maethu Cymru across the region and in each local authority.

• To use the national performance framework for fostering services to inform and shape the regional priorities.

• To engage with each local authority in the region to ensure that key people are involved in developing and implementing the regional work programme.

• To report Monthly to the regional partnership board

Responsibility for functions
• -

Main duties
• To report, as required to Heads of Service within the region.

• To work with foster carers and young people who are or have been fostered to ensure that their views are reflected in the regional work programmes.

• To work with others in ensuring that local authorities in the region complete the national performance framework.

• To be involved in analysing the regional information that emerges from the national performance framework and generating plans for improvement.

• To attend national meetings of Maethu Cymru to represent the region.

• To work with other Regional Managers to shape national/central priorities.

• To provide leadership and direction in a supervisory role to the regional marketing officer.

• To work alongside the regional marketing officer.

• To work with the Head of foster Wales and the national marketing manager.

• To present the Regional Work programme to key stakeholder groups.

• To be responsible for the regional budget, if appropriate.

• Any other duties, as required.

• Responsibility for self-development.

• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy.

• Operate within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.

• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council's information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.

• Commitment to reducing the Council's carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council's Carbon Footprint.

• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.

• Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special circumstances
• Willingness to work flexible hours which can include weekends and evenings on occasion

• Full Driving Licence

• This post has been denoted as one that comes within the terms of the Exceptions Order under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that if you are successful in your application you will need to apply for a Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. The Council will provide the relevant form for this purpose and will pay the associated fee. Further details will be supplied when necessary. The successful applicant should also be registered as a Social Worker with the Care Council for Wales.