At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and guide foster carers, ensuring the best outcomes for children.
- Company: A dedicated fostering agency committed to making a positive impact in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real difference while enjoying flexible working hours.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a caring attitude and willingness to learn.
- Other info: Part-time role with negotiable working days in Milton Keynes.
The predicted salary is between 22300 - 23900 £ per year.
Part Time Fostering Advisor
Organisation: ISP Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
Salary: £22,300 – £23,900 prorated dependent on experience
Core Hours: 9am – 5pm, 3 days per week (21 hours)
Working Days: Negotiable
Location: Milton Keynes
Benefits: 30 days’ Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash (all benefits will be prorated)
About Us
Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of Foster Parents, ISP became the UK’s first independent Foster Care agency. This gave us over 30 years of fostering experience. From the start we put the child at the centre of our thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services – a therapeutic approach to fostering that we pioneered. Over time our network has grown to include social workers, teachers, therapists and more, all working with foster parents and the children they look after to manage even the most challenging situations.
What We Are Looking For
Have you previously been a foster parent and are looking for a career change? The Fostering Advisor role may be the right fit. Advisers provide key support to foster parents, regularly visiting them and offering information and advice on all ISP services and resources – including matching, respite, training, supervised contact and transport.
Role Responsibilities
- Maintain regular phone contact with foster parents to discuss progress and share strategies
- Make home visits as agreed with the ISP Social Worker and Registered Manager
- Provide foster parents with appropriate information and advice on available support and services, including procedures for allegations or complaints
- Co‑ordinate training for foster parents
- Be actively involved with:
- Contact arrangements and supervised contact
- Respite and transport arrangements, and transport children directly when required
- TSDS training
- Crisis intervention
- Matching considerations
What You Will Need
- Understanding of Fostering regulations and standards (Children’s Act & Fostering Service National Minimum Standards)
- First‑hand knowledge or experience of Fostering, ideally as a foster parent or in a Foster family
- Previous experience or a desire to work in a therapeutic model of child care
- Previous experience providing support to foster parents and young people
- Good understanding of attachment and working within a therapeutic model
- Ability to recognise people who foster as professionals and challenge appropriately where necessary
- Ability to build good working relationships with professionals from various disciplines
- Intermediate IT skills – Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and experience of using spreadsheets and databases
- Experience of planning, organising and prioritising workloads to meet deadlines and service requirements
- Commitment to developing positive working relationships with other staff, outside agencies, children & young people and foster parents
- A full driving licence, unrestricted access to your own vehicle and confidence driving across the region
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check – the cost will be met by ISP.
ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
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Fostering Advisor employer: ISP
Contact Detail:
ISP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Research the fostering sector and understand the key challenges faced by foster carers. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fostering community. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving. These are crucial traits for a Fostering Advisor and will help you stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with our company values and mission at StudySmarter. Tailoring your responses to align with our ethos will show that you are not only a good fit for the role but also for our team culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Fostering Advisor. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your experience in fostering or related fields. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the position.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should express your passion for fostering and your understanding of the challenges involved. Mention specific experiences that showcase your skills and how they relate to the job.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at ISP
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what a Fostering Advisor does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and expectations outlined in the job description, as this will help you tailor your answers to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
During the interview, express your genuine interest in fostering and child welfare. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that led you to apply for this position, as this can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges related to fostering or support work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the organisation and the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, making it a win-win situation.