Due to the ongoing success of the Leicestershire County Council partnership which started in 2018, Barnardo's has a fantastic opportunity available, we require additional Responsible individual capacity on permanent contracts. Being registered as the Responsible Individual with Ofsted, each post will oversee 4 residential services across Leicester and the local area with the working week split between them.   Might consider part time roles for individual with the right skill set and qualifications. 

The successful postholder will work with senior colleagues to ensure we continue to develop services to best meet the needs of children, young people and their families within the Leicestershire community. Covering a range of locations; service locations include Coalville (2 homes one for contextual safeguarding and one for hospital prevention/step down), Hinckley (2 homes one for overnight short breaks and one for emotional well being), Market Harborough (family assessment home), Mountsorrel (emotional well being) and Braunstone (emotional well being).  

As a Responsible Individual, you will be line managing four registered managers and report into the Assistant Director for the region, all part of the Leicester residentials management team. You will be closely supported by 2 operational CSM's and the AD including endorsement of Ofsted registration. There will also be support offered for progression opportunities with a commitment to learning and development, including options of Level 5 Residential qualifications and potential further qualification options.  

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Are you an experienced media professional with a passion for helping to change the lives of children and families across Wales?

At Barnardo's, we're looking for a passionate and creative person to join our busy media and communications team as our Media and Communications Lead for Cymru and South West England. You'll be helping us shape the national conversation around the issues that matter most to children and young people.

Your week might be spent gearing up for a major media campaign to help improve the lives of children, you might be heading to a local Barnardo's service to make sure children's voices are heard in local media – or you might be prepping our regional director for a challenging live interview. You'll also be leading on a national portfolio area for Barnardo's across the UK.
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Whatever you're doing, you'll be finding bold, creative ways to position Barnardo's as a thought leader and trusted voice on the challenges facing children and young people today. If that sounds like an exciting prospect for you, please get in touch!

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Following the government's announcement of planned improvements to foster care in the UK, Brenda Farrell, Barnardo's UK director of fostering, adoption and children in care, has released a statement.

She said: said: “Every child deserves a loving, safe home. Fostering has been facing a looming crisis for a number of years, with more and more children coming into care and fewer people to offer them a place to call home.

“We are pleased to see the government taking vital action and setting ambitious targets - but we must make sure that foster carers, the people who open their homes and dedicate their lives to children, are central to shaping any new policies. Their insight, experience and compassion must help drive the change that is so urgently needed.

“At Barnardo’s, we have been helping children find loving foster families for almost 100 years, so we look forward to working with the government and other partners to develop these plans and make sure they lead to urgent improvements.”  

Source: https://www.barnardos.org.uk

Ready for a Social Work role where you can truly make an impact?

Do you thrive on challenges and want to help children, young people, and families build brighter futures? If that sounds like you - this could be your next step.

We're looking for two passionate experienced Social Workers to join our dedicated team at our Newry and Armagh Family Resource Centre, part of Barnardo's.

Our service has been operating for over 30 years and has strong reputation for supporting families through tough times, helping them find strength, stability, and hope.

This is more than a job, it's a chance to make a real difference. You'll work directly with families, carrying out assessments and providing therapeutic support that changes lives.

We have part time two roles available:
1 x 29.6 hours per week (4 days)
1 x 22.2 hours per week (3 days)

What we're looking for:

• A qualified Social Worker (with post-AYE experience)
• Experience working with children and families; undertaking childcare assessments/court directed work
• Someone who builds strong, trusting relationships with both children and adults
• A positive, can-do attitude and a collaborative approach
• Flexibility to adapt to families' needs
• A commitment to learning and professional growth

Click here for full job details.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Would you like to join an enthusiastic and passionate staff team where we believe every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive home?

We are currently recruiting a qualified social worker who has experience working with children in the care system. We know all children need loving, caring and dedicated adults in their life. That's why we work hard every day to find that family who can go on that journey with children and give them the future they deserve.

Some of the Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assessment of prospective foster carers and adopters using the BAAF Form F and AAR frameworks.
• Attending multi-disciplinary meetings, Looked After Children reviews and panels.
• Regular supervision and support to foster carers and adopters.
• Timely recording and good communication with all professionals involved in children's lives.
• Pre and post-approval training delivery.
• Participation in the office duty system on a rota basis.

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New Ofsted data shows ‘vulnerable’ children in care are being “regularly put at risk” in a “dysfunctional system” which has seen hundreds placed in unregistered homes for months. 
 
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) branded it “unacceptable” that some 800 children had been placed in such homes for an average of six months each. 

Lynn Perry, Barnardo’s CEO says, “No child should be made to live in an unsuitable environment, including illegal, unregistered homes. These situations can be scary, force children to move far away from their home base and community, and cut children off from friends and family, resulting in them feeling lonely and isolated. "

​Click here to read the full article.

“We are so glad that we were able to keep the children together. Staying together has helped them a lot and we don’t want to think about the possibility that they might have been separated.” 

With the number of children in care in Northern Ireland continuing to rise each year – and now reaching almost 4,200 - one couple have told of their joy in fostering three siblings.

Jonathan, 47 and Sarah McElroy, 50, live in County Down with their three foster children who are siblings aged 9, 4 and 2. 

The couple, who have been married for 20 years, weren’t able to have their own birth children but say that they feel “really blessed” to be taking care of this family. 

In what feels like their very own version of the movie Instant Family, the McElroys are navigating the challenges and joys of parenting two girls and a boy. 

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Thinking about becoming a foster carer but unsure what it’s really like? You’re not alone. Many people are curious about fostering but have questions, worries, or assumptions that hold them back.

We asked Barnardo’s fostering social and project workers to share things they’d like people to understand about fostering, from the support you’ll receive, to the emotional realities, to what happens when children move on.

Fostering can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. We believe being open about both is essential in helping people decide whether fostering is right for them.

Click here to read the full article.

People who have grown up in care will be able to get free medicine and dental services until their 25th birthday under new measures announced by the Government. 

A new pilot scheme will also aim to boost access to mental health support for children in care, while GPs will be alerted to patients who are in care in a bid to keep them safe.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the change is being made in recognition of the difficulties young people face if they have grown up in foster care or a children’s home.

Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “It cannot be right that children who have grown up in foster care and children’s homes have poorer health than their peers.

“We warmly welcome the government’s decision to extend free prescriptions and dental care to these young people up to the age of 25. It’s an important step towards a society which gives all children the best start in life, whatever their background."

Click here to read the full article.

We're offering an exciting opportunity to become a Fostering Practice Manager within our dedicated Wales Fostering Team. Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, you will lead a team of skilled and passionate Supervising Social Workers, ensuring they deliver exceptional supervision, support, and training to foster parents and their families. Your leadership will help foster parents provide trauma-informed care that transforms the lives of children and young people.

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead and inspire your team to meet evolving service demands through high-quality supervision and adherence to fostering regulations in Wales.
• Support recruitment and retention of foster carers, contributing to strategic development and service improvement.
• Collaborate with external partners, including local authorities, health and education professionals, and child welfare organisations, to ensure holistic care for children and families.

We're looking for a driven individual with substantial supervisory experience in social care, ready to take the next step in their career. Whether you're an experienced Team Manager, Deputy Manager, or a seasoned leader seeking a fresh challenge, this role offers a platform to share your expertise and make a lasting impact.

You'll be part of a supportive and knowledgeable team, with access to coaching, mentoring, and leadership development from the Operations Manager, Assistant Head of Business, and wider service colleagues.

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