Administrator in Stone

Stone Hours: 24 hours per Week - 3 days

Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave increasing to 35 days with length of service, Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance and Employee Discount Scheme (all benefits would be pro-rated).

About Us: Orange Grove was founded in 1996 by two social workers who understood that strong relationships held the key to successful fostering. As with all families, relationships matter. They provide a stable platform for growth, which is why we commit time, effort and resources into nurturing them constantly. We do this for the children in our care by getting to know them and providing a safe and positive family environment. We do it for our foster parents by treating them individually and tailoring our support to their needs. And we take care to build strong and positive relationships with local authorities.

We are currently looking to recruit a Part-Time Administrator to provide an administrative support service to our fostering team. The role will involve working within the Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards, maintaining databases and electronic filing systems, managing fostering paperwork and forms as well as general ad hoc administration. The post holder will also be expected to provide a meet and greet service, set up meetings, and take minutes for a variety of staff, foster parent and professional meetings.

It is essential that applicants have excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills and a warm, confident personality.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide a comprehensive day to day administrative service for the office team, including maintaining electronic and paper files and databases.
• Produce professionally written emails and letters.
• Process incoming and outgoing post; photocopying; brochure/standard form production.
• Manage message taking and signposting; management of petty cash and processing of invoices/expenses.
• Organise meetings and provide meeting support.
• Support the social work team with data collection, recording, filing and auditing.
• Receive visitors; build and maintain a supportive relationship with foster parents as a first point of contact in the office.
• Liaise with Local Authority social workers; take minutes of monthly meetings for foster parents and distribute to relevant personnel.
• Carry out statutory checks and take up references on prospective foster parents.
• Maintain accurate databases/registers of all referrals and children placed; provide information from these databases to the Registered Manager as required.
• Be responsible for the smooth running of the office premises under the direction of the Registered Manager.
• Order stationary and receive orders; maintain a database of children’s birthdays and send out cards.
• Maintain all office equipment; attend regular team meetings; represent and promote Orange Grove at every opportunity.
• Make constructive use of supervision and work closely with team members to enhance personal and team developments.

Requirements:

• Educated to GCSE level with grades A-C in Mathematics, English.
• A good working knowledge of databases, Microsoft Office Suite (which will be tested at interview).
• Proven experience of working in an administrative role, ideally within a child-centred/caring environment.
• Proven experience of taking accurate minutes.
• Experience of planning, organising and prioritising workloads to meet deadlines and service requirements.
• Good communication skills (phone/writing).
• Ability to manage conflict effectively, be solution focused.
• To be able to contribute to team working and to develop good working relationships.
• Ability to manage workload and work autonomously.
• The ability to demonstrate professionalism and diplomacy and to represent Orange Grove Fostercare at all times.

Interviews may take place over Microsoft Teams or in person at our office based in Stone. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by Orange Grove. Orange Grove is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Orange Grove is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.