At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide loving respite care to children in need, helping families take a well-deserved break.
- Company: Empower Fostering, a family-run agency dedicated to high-quality foster care.
- Benefits: Earn between £400-£700 per week, with ongoing training and 24/7 support.
- Other info: Join a supportive community that values diversity and offers excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Open to anyone with space in their home and heart; no specific qualifications needed.
The predicted salary is between 25740 - 31460 £ per year.
Empower Fostering is a small Independent Family Run Fostering Agency based in Taunton and operating across the southwest region, covering a catchment area from Bristol to Plymouth. We have been rated ‘Good’ in our last Ofsted inspection and the level of support to foster carers has been acknowledged. We are committed to providing bespoke packages that enable children to be placed in high quality caring foster homes.
If you have the space in your home and heart, then we urge anyone who is passionate about making a difference to children’s lives to apply or to get in touch with our team for an informal chat. We are looking for foster carers to offer respite care to children. Respite care could be overnight, a weekend or up to two weeks during school holidays. Respite foster carers provide essential support to fostering families to give both carers and children a well-deserved break.
There are some common misconceptions about respite fostering:
- I am currently working – You could still foster
- I am currently renting – You could still foster
- I'm on benefits – You could still foster
- I'm unemployed – You could still foster
- I'm disabled – You could still foster
- I'm single – You could still foster
- I am in a same sex relationship – You could still foster
- My children are still at home – You could still foster
- I am retired – You could still foster
- I have pets in my home – You could still foster
- I can’t afford to look after children – You are paid a Weekly allowance of between £400-£700 per week!
We receive hundreds of referrals from Bristol, Somerset, Devon, Torquay, Plymouth, and Cornwall to name but a few. They are all in need of loving and supportive homes for children and young people. We welcome applications from people of all social, economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds who reflect the different cultures and diversity of young people that come into care. We need Foster Carers in the Southwest. Could this be you?
Foster carers are very important people; they are fully trained and supported as childcare experts. Foster carers work closely with other professionals to provide high standards of care and be the child's advocate. Could you provide children with the opportunity to grow and develop in a loving, caring and stable environment where they can explore their interests and achieve their educational and life potential?
Why should you Foster with us? We are a family run independent fostering agency, founded by Foster Carers, so we have a unique insight into what Foster Carers experience. We really do understand the rewards and challenges faced by Foster Carers and their families. We provide comprehensive, ongoing training and support, an experienced foster carer buddy to support you as you begin your fostering career, a 24/7 on call service, a foster carer support group, as well as events and activities for foster children, birth children and foster carers.
Respite Foster Carer in Plymouth employer: Empower Family Group
Empower Family Group is an exceptional employer located in Taunton, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With benefits such as free parking and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, we foster an environment where HR professionals can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the employee lifecycle and team development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Respite Foster Carer in Plymouth
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Empower Family Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Empower Family Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Empower Family Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Empower Family Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Respite Foster Carer in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Empower Family Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Empower Family Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Empower Family Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
