Finance Manager

Department/Area: Business Support
Responsible to:  Business Development Manager (BDM)

About Community Foster Care

Community Foster Care (CFC) is a Therapeutic Independent Foster Agency. We are also a charity with an important history based on principles of social justice and the power of communities. The children and young people we work with have experienced relational and developmental trauma. These experiences present multiple complexities, which require the love, security and sense of belonging provided by a nurturing family. These families need to be resilient, highly skilled and well supported. We believe it takes a community to raise a child. As a therapeutic agency, we are exploring key approaches to refine how to achieve our mission.

Our Purpose

To enable all children to thrive in a loving family.

Our Mission

To work with and in communities to grow the potential of people who can provide nurturing care
through therapeutic foster parenting

Our Approach

We use 3 core principles in our work with children and families:

• Practice informed by psychodynamic and systemic approaches, attachment theory, and social justice.
• A reflective culture
• Collaborative and relational-based work

These approaches require all the people who work as part of this community to be:

• Alignment with CFC core values.
• Prepared to bring your true and best self to the work
• Mentally and physically resilient.
• Ability to think about what you did well and what you could have done better and how this impacted you and others.
• The ability to mentalise, to put themselves in others’ shoes.
• Prepared to be open to challenges from others.
• Willingness to tolerate significant exposure from professional networks and remain engaged as a team player.
• Commitment to engage in Therapeutic parenting approaches.
• Committed to ongoing personal development and training

• Minded to collaborate with others in and across teams

Role Summary

The Finance Manager is responsible for leading and managing the organisation’s financial operations, ensuring robust financial management, accurate reporting, and effective use of resources in line with the charity’s mission.

The role plays a key part in supporting strategic decision-making, maintaining strong financialgovernance, and enabling managers across the organisation to plan and deliver services within agreed budgets.

Financial Management & Operations

• Lead and oversee all day-to-day financial operations, including income, expenditure, payroll, and cashflow management
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, including monthly management accounts and forecasts
• Maintain effective financial controls and ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures
• Oversee accounts payable, receivable, reconciliations, and banking processes
• Manage relationships with auditors, accountants, and external stakeholders
• Ensure charity funds are used effectively and in line with organisational purpose

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Support the BDM with annual budgeting process, working collaboratively with managers across the organisation
• Develop and maintain financial forecasts to support decision-making and long-term sustainability
• Monitor financial performance against budget and highlight risks or variances
• Provide clear, accessible financial information to support operational and strategic planning

Supporting Managers with Budgets

• Work proactively with budget holders to develop realistic and well-informed budgets
• Provide regular, timely, and clear financial reports tailored to individual managers
• Support managers to understand their financial position and take corrective action where required
• Offer advice and challenge to ensure effective and efficient use of resources
• Build confidence and capability across the organisation in financial management

Leadership & Management Responsibilities

• Line manage and supervise (including supervision and appraisals) finance staff, including the Finance Officer
• Provide support, guidance, and development opportunities to ensure high performance within the finance function
• Contribute actively as a member of the management group, supporting organisational leadership and decision-making
• Work collaboratively with other managers to ensure alignment between financial planning and service delivery
• Promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the organisation

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to the development and delivery of organisational strategy
• Provide financial insight and analysis to support strategic planning and prioritisation
• Support the development of the organisation’s financial strategy and long-term sustainability
• Ensure financial considerations are integrated into organisational decision-making

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations, charity requirements, and internal policies
• Be an active part of the Finance and Resources Committee reporting to Trustees
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts and audit processes
• Contribute to financial reporting to trustees and governance groups
• Ensure effective implementation of financial procedures and controls (working within the CFC Finance Policy)

Engagement with Ethos and Therapeutic Approach

All staff at Community Foster Care are expected to actively engage with and embody the organisation’s
values and therapeutic approach.

In this role, you will:

• Work consistently in line with CFC’s mission, values, and relational approach
• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of trauma and the importance of supportive, reflective environments
• Take part in Therapeutic Reflective Practice groups.
• Contribute to a reflective culture, including openness to feedback and continuous learning
• Engage collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines to support the best outcomes for   children and families
• Recognise the importance of your role in enabling resources to support high-quality therapeutic care

Key consideration

As Finance Manager, you will at all times:

• Adhere to Relevant Legislation and Regulation including The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards and the Care Standards Act 2000
• Work consistently with Community Foster Care’s values and contribute to achieving its mission.
• Seek to develop and enhance good social work practice for yourself and for others.
• Promote Community Foster Care’s reputation and protect its ability to achieve its mission.
• Good understanding and ability to work to the policies and procedures of the Agency.
• You may be required to work outside of office hours to:

          ▪ attend any appropriate meetings or events
          ▪ meet the demands of your role

• You will need to ensure you have an up to date understanding of HMRC regulations and payroll matters

What we require from all our employees

• A commitment and alignment with Community Foster Care’s Values
• A resolve to make effective use of critical reflection, utilising the various fora to do this with others
• A commitment to your personal growth, including a willingness to embrace challenges and actively seek constructive feedback
• An aptitude to ensure efficient and effective use of CFC’s resources and funds relevant to your role, including the consideration of the commercial aspects of a fostering service.
• Capacity to be a highly functioning team player
• A fidelity to anti-oppressive practice, underpinned by an understanding and promotion of equality and diversity

It is the nature of the work of CFC, that tasks and responsibilities are unpredictable and varied. All staff are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises where tasks are not specifically covered in the Job Description and have to be undertaken.

CFC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service clearance at enhanced level.

CVs will not be accepted under any circumstances; all applicants must complete an online application form by clicking on Apply Now, or contact us via the email address to the right of this advert to request one.