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- Tasks: Support foster parents with advice, training, and regular visits to ensure their success.
- Company: Join ISP, the UK's first independent Foster Care agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £3,000 car allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in fostering or child care, strong communication skills, and a full driving licence required.
- Other info: ISP values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 26000 £ per year.
INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMME (ISP)
Fostering Advisor
Salary: £22,500 – £26,000 (dependent on experience)
Core Hours: 9am – 5pm
Office Location: Albourne, West Sussex
Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days\’ Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash
About Us
Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of Foster Parents, we became the UK\’s first independent Foster Care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years\’ of fostering experience and we\’re still going strong!
The founder members recognised that looked after children – especially those who\’d had very difficult starts in life – needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that\’s what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.
Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what\’s known as a \’therapeutic approach\’ to fostering and it\’s something that we pioneered.
What we are looking for
Like our children, foster parents need support, encouragement and practical advice and sometimes just someone to listen.
The Fostering Advisors in our teams are key to all of the support required to our foster parents and this critical role will be accountable for regularly visiting foster parents, offering advice and information regarding all the services and support available to them at ISP, Including matching considerations, respite, training, supervised contact, and transportation.
Role responsibilities
- To have regular phone contact with foster parents to discuss general progress and to share ideas and strategies
- To make home visits agreed with the ISP Social Worker and Centre Manager
- To provide foster parents with information and advice, as appropriate, on support and services available to them through ISP and the Fostering Network, especially information and procedures to be followed if an allegation or complaint is made.
- To co-ordinate training for foster parents
- To be actively involved with:
- Contact arrangements and supervised contact
- Respite and transport arrangements, and to transport children directly where required
- TSDS Training
- Crisis intervention
- Matching considerations
- To support children and young people in their leisure activities
- To assist in facilitating discussion groups and presentations at the Centre, including attending discussions groups and team meetings
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date records as required
- To be conversant with applicable regulations and standards
- To undertake other duties, tasks or projects as requested by the Centre Manager
- Work as an effective team member and attend other ISP events, e.g. programme meetings.
What you will need
- Understanding of Fostering regulations and standards i.e. the Children\’s Act & Fostering Service National Minimum Standards
- Some first-hand knowledge or experience of Fostering, ideally as a foster parent or as part of a Fostering family
- Previous experience or a want to work in a therapeutic model of child care
- Previous experience of 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 in a way that is effective and sustains the relationship
- Ability to build good working relationships with professionals from various disciplines
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and 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, our 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, cost of which 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
INDCOMHP #J-18808-Ljbffr
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
Familiarise yourself with the specific fostering regulations and standards mentioned in the job description, such as the Children’s Act and Fostering Service National Minimum Standards. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former fostering advisors or professionals in the field. Engaging in conversations with them can provide you with valuable insights into the role and the challenges they face, which you can reference in your discussions with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase any relevant experience you have in a therapeutic model of child care. If you have worked in similar environments or have personal experiences related to fostering, be prepared to discuss these in detail, as they can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships with foster parents and other professionals. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams or supported individuals in challenging situations, as this is crucial for the Fostering Advisor role.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Fostering Advisor position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also explains why you are passionate about fostering and how your background makes you a suitable candidate. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your understanding of fostering regulations and therapeutic models.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous experience related to fostering, child care, or support roles. Mention any direct experience you have with fostering families or working within a therapeutic model, as this will be crucial for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is essential in a role that involves working closely with foster parents and children.
How to prepare for a job interview at ISP
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Fostering Advisor. Familiarise yourself with the Integrated Services Programme and be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Experience
If you have any first-hand experience in fostering or working within a therapeutic model of child care, be prepared to share specific examples. Highlight how these experiences have shaped your understanding of the challenges faced by foster parents and children.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
The ability to build strong relationships is crucial for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully built rapport with individuals from various backgrounds, especially in challenging situations. Use examples that showcase your communication and interpersonal skills.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and your approach to crisis intervention. Think about potential challenges you might face as a Fostering Advisor and how you would handle them effectively while maintaining a supportive environment.
