Subcluster Fostering Enquiry Lead - LAFSE (FTC 12 months)

Due to Department of Education Funding we are expanding our team and looking for three Subcluster Fostering Enquiry Leads to join us on a fixed term contract for a period of 12 months. Join our exciting Local Authority Fostering South East (LAFSE) partnership hub and make a real difference in children's lives. At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

As a Subcluster Fostering Enquiry Lead you will work across 17 local authorities in the South East of the UK, and serve as a central point of contact for the Local Authority Fostering South East (LAFSE) Fostering Recruitment Hub. You will support and guide local enquiry offers, engage with prospective foster carers and help drive innovative recruitment initiatives. You will have strong assessment skills, thrive in a collaborative environment, and be passionate about fostering. You will also use your specialist knowledge in fostering to elevate the profile of fostering across the South-east, whilst developing professional and supportive relationships across the region, in what is an innovative approach to foster carer recruitment.

We are a collaborative and supportive team, committed to driving innovation in fostering recruitment. Our approach is centered on working together to create solutions that make a difference. We spearhead strategic, high-profile marketing campaigns that not only raise awareness but also drive meaningful and lasting change across the South East. Through our efforts, we aim to reshape recruitment practices, ensuring that they are effective, inclusive and impactful in addressing the needs of the region.

Key responsibilities:

• Undertake activities to support the implementation of the Hub strategy.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant issues within fostering, providing efficient responses to enquiries generated by recruitment campaigns.
• Engage with prospective carers through various channels and lead them to information events.
• Support fostering events and maintain updated data on previous enquiries.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, statutory, and national policies, including equal opportunities, team development and confidentiality.
• Manage and maintain a database of prospective foster carers, providing reports when required.
• Develop and maintain a tracking system for efficient enquiry handling.
• Support organisational change, promoting a positive image of the Fostering Hub.
• Explore innovative uses of technology to enhance service delivery.
• Carry out initial home visits and produce high quality reports on each visit as and when required.

Our benefits:

• 28 days increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days annual leave per year and sell 5 days.
• Hybrid / Flexible working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme for an electric car at a fixed monthly cost (subject to eligibility).
• An inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks.
• Local government pension scheme.
• Life insurance cover (linked to the pension scheme).
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits such as annual leave entitlements, occupational maternity/paternity leave, and more.
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• A great office location next to travel links and Bracknell Forest’s thriving town centre.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
• Sports and Social Club.
• Staff dental and health plans.
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.

Interviews will be held on 23rd and 24th June 2025. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment. We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.