Jobs

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.

You will:

• Provide clear, visible leadership for Family Based Care across the region, aligned to the strategic vision of the RCC Board, Chief Executive and key decision-makers
• Lead the establishment and implementation of a new regional model for Family Based Care, embedding new structures and ways of working
• Be accountable at regional level for all resources, staffing and budgets allocated through FwNE, including delivery of the agreed programme of work
• Ensure Foster with North East meets national minimum requirements and timescales set out in the Fostering Recruitment and Retention Programme: End-to-End Programme Guidance and the new national minimum standards
• Oversee the development and recruitment of the new staffing structure for FwNE including transition of existing Local Authority based staff
• Lead the delivery of a large and complex budget, ensuring effective financial management and delivery of the approved business case
• Establish robust governance, performance management and risk management frameworks, with transparent reporting of quality, performance and progress
• Develop and sustain strong relationships with senior leaders across Local Authorities and key partner organisations to enable successful regional delivery
• Work closely with the three Regional Adoption Agencies to ensure alignment, avoid duplication and maximise regional impact
• Engage with national leaders and colleagues across other regions to embrace innovation and maximise opportunities arising from national reforms
• Bring strong commercial acumen to position the regional arrangements as market-leading, sustainable and value-driven
• Lead and model cultural change, promoting clear, effective and transparent communication across emerging regional arrangements
• Ensure stakeholder insight, including the voices of children, young people and carers, is central to the design and delivery of Foster with North East and the RCC

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.

INTERVIEWS
It is expected that interviews will take place early September 2026.
 
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

REMOVAL AND LODGINGS 
Removal, lodging and separation expenses may be available to the successful candidate if at the time of application for appointment their place of residence is outside the administrative area of County Durham and more than 30 miles in a straight line from their new administrative centre, along with several other criteria for eligibility.
 
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY 
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.

Important Information for Members of the Local Government Pension Scheme  
HM Revenue and Customs impose controls on the amount of pension savings you can make without having to pay extra tax. These controls are known as the Annual Allowance and Lump Sum Allowance.  The Annual Allowance is the amount by which the value of your pension benefits may increase in any one year without you having to pay a tax charge.  You are most likely to be affected by the Annual Allowance if you receive a significant pay increase, and/or you are a high earner.  Two lump sum limits were also introduced in April 2024. If the value of all lump sums taken from UK pensions is higher than these limits, you will have to pay tax on any excess at your marginal rate. 
 
More information can be found here 

If you are successful in your application for this post and wish to find out more about these controls, please contact the Pension Section at pensions@durham.gov.uk

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £119,532 per annum

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Support Worker