About the role:

The first national strategy for kinship care in England is expected soon, and the focus on kinship care is growing. We have an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and strategic network builder to join us at a time of change and opportunity.

You’ll seize opportunities to influence positive change, leading on the design and delivery of targeted strategies to develop and co-ordinate strong and collaborative relationships with local authorities and other services supporting kinship families in England. You’ll lead on mapping local and national services, developing effective partnerships and connecting the ecosystem of support for kinship families so they can more easily find the support they need.

You’ll have a particular focus on developing relationships with local authorities to support the successful delivery of our new national Kinship Carer Training and Support Service, funded by the Department for Education (from October 2023 for 18 months with potential extensions up until March 2027), as well as generating opportunities for our growing peer support network and Kinship’s wider portfolio of services.

You’ll combine strategic planning with an ability to model a new way of working that is centred on partnerships, collaboration and excellent use of our Salesforce CRM. Leading a new team of two regional Network Development Managers, each of you will be responsible for delivery of your plan in one region in England (North, Midlands and South). You’ll also work closely with colleagues in Wales to support a co-ordinated approach.

This is an evolving role in our growing and impact driven charity. Importantly, you’ll be committed to our mission to improve recognition and support for kinship families, and you’ll be ready to seize and shape opportunities to build connections and partnerships as we work hard to design a system that works for kinship families so they are more able to find the support they need, when they need it.

Full job pack can be found here.

What we’ll offer you: 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) as well as a generous pension scheme. This fixed-term role is open to flexible working (school hours would be considered). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.  

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity! 

To apply:

Please apply for this role through BeApplied. You will be asked to answer five questions and attach your CV. You will have max 250 words per answer.

• Describe how your experience and values are a good fit for this role.

• If you were offered the role, what would you prioritise in the first three months and why? Tell us about what you’d need to find out and what would be your approach to the role.

• Describe how you have used and managed data to inform successful network building and relationship management within a regional or national context.

• How would you go about building a new team that is motivated, high performing and happy in their role?

• What excites you about this role?

Application deadline: 4:00pm on Monday 11 December 2023

Interview date: Monday 18 December 2023 – in-person (Vauxhall). The interview process will be one stage in-person and you will be asked to create a presentation as part of the interview (you will hold full copyright and ownership of the presentation and contents).