Community Resource Worker – Kinship Post Order Support and Fostering Teams in Bradford

Community Resource Worker – Kinship Post Order Support and Fostering Teams

Permanent Contract, 37 hours per week, Based at Sir Henry Mitchell House.

Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with passionate people delivering change in a city as diverse as its geography.

You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.

We are fully committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

About the Role

We have dedicated teams within the Fostering Service, committed to providing comprehensive support to Kinship, Foster carers, children, and their families.

Our teams work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure effective multi‑agency responses and adherence to departmental policies and procedures.

As a Community Resource Worker, you will be responsible for providing direct engagement, crisis support, advocacy, and administrative duties.

The role will include working creatively and dynamically with colleagues across Health, Education, third sector organisations and Bradford Children and Families Trust to further develop partnership working and to create an improved offer of support for Kinship families as part of informing plans for permanence.

Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.

Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete assessments to understand the needs of the child and the Kinship and foster carers and develop tailored support plans.
• Provide support to kinship and foster carers and families in crisis, both over the phone and face‑to‑face during home visits.
• Work directly with children, kinship and foster carers, and their families.
• Promote the involvement of children and young people in discussions about the services offered.
• Partner with other agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people, families, and carers.
• Keep accurate, up‑to‑date records using designated electronic systems and equipment.
• Write reports for meetings, reviews, monitoring purposes, and management related to overall planning for children.
• Fulfil various roles within the service, including duty expectations, handling telephones, emails, case work, and support groups for Kinship and foster carers.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings and service developments.
• Provide advice, information, and support to promote the service.
• Contribute to the support of students, apprenticeships, and trainees.
• Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development, ensuring attendance at mandatory training and refreshers relevant to your role.
• Work independently to give advice and make decisions about referrals and calls, with support from management.
• Attend meetings related to the service, support children and carers, coordinate activities, and provide training as needed.
• Offer emotional support to carers and children and provide practical assistance such as help with accessing education, health, benefits, and other relevant services.
• Organise and facilitate training sessions and workshops for Kinship and foster families.
• Seek external training resources and continue developing the service.
• Act as a link with colleagues to ensure the provision of specialist information on policy, legislation, and resources for Kinship and foster carers.
• Advocate for the child and Kinship and foster families, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are upheld.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2/3 in Health & Social Care or Caring for Children & Young People, or an equivalent qualification (e. g., relevant degree, Dip SW, RGN, Teaching, Youth and Community, etc.) as specified by the service.
• Equivalent qualifications must include work‑based assessed competencies in working with children and families.
• Evidence of ongoing training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) since achieving Level 2.

Skills and Knowledge

• Sound knowledge of legislation and standards related to fostering and Special Guardianship Order (SGO) support services.
• Ability to engage effectively with children, adults, and professionals.
• Range of spoken and written communication skills, including exchanging information, building relationships, providing advice and guidance, counselling, negotiating, and handling confidential information.
• Ability to gather, collate, and analyse facts to solve problems, including creative and critical thinking, developing practical solutions, applying problem‑solving strategies, and managing interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to take initiative and independent actions within the scope of the job, including planning and organising, self‑effectiveness, and quality checking work.
• Promote equality, treat all people fairly, maintain impartiality, and be aware of the barriers people face.

Requirements

• Must meet either the Lower or Advanced threshold level for fluency in English as outlined under Special Knowledge.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays as required by the needs of the service.
• Must be able to perform all duties and tasks with reasonable adjustments, where appropriate, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 regarding Disability Provisions.
• The post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Must have a full driving licence and a car available.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave – 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays.
• Excellent Local Government pension.
• Family‑friendly policies and enhanced parental leave.
• Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• National Living Wage employer.

For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.

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