At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage referrals and match placements to support children and families.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a leading fostering agency with a friendly team.
- Benefits: 30-35 days annual leave, pension, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working, team-building activities, and a strong focus on staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Good communication and organisational skills; experience in children's services is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 23535 - 23535 £ per year.
This is an amazing opportunity to join Foster Care Associates. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Full Time Referrals Officer to join our inspirational and friendly team to develop and promote the fostering services in Cymru South. Our office is based in Bridgend and we support the hybrid model of working with lots of flexibility to work from home.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
- Starting at 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service + bank holidays
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance x2
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
- Free Parking
We are committed to the wellbeing of our staff. The aim of our Staff Wellbeing Strategy is to increase all our employees' well-being, self-esteem, and sense of belonging to a team and create new environments for them to spend productive time together. This includes walk and talks at the beach or in parks, weekly wellbeing hour, park runs, mindfulness sessions, sea dipping, yoga sessions, raft racing and charity events to name a few. Our office environment is friendly and inviting with tea, coffee, breakfast and lunch items always available for our staff to contribute towards their wellbeing. All this combined with an exceptionally generous annual leave scheme ensures that there are sufficient opportunities for that essential down time.
As part of the FCA Cymru team we welcome all members of our staffs' families to be involved in all our activities that we provide to our fostering families. These have in the past included Alton Towers, West Midlands Safari Park, horse riding, skating trips and lots more to choose from. Within FCA we also take the opportunity for team-building days away when all staff have the opportunity to come together from across Cymru and strengthen our staff collaborations. Staff appreciation day is also celebrated yearly across FCA.
Robust induction, supportive management team, monthly reflective supervision with line manager and regular learning and reflective opportunities with a highly welcoming and close-knit team will ensure that you feel fully supported at all times.
Additional Benefits
- Refer a friend scheme with a monetary incentive
- Opportunity to undertake additional recruitment events for additional payments
- An exceptional platform available for online and face-to-face training opportunities
- Inclusion to a comprehensive rewards package including access to discounts to hundreds of major retailers
- Opportunity to join, at a highly reduced rate, our foster talk scheme with all the legal and financial advice this provides as well as additional discounts to various schemes and retailers
- Competitive mileage allowance
As a Referrals Officer, you will manage referrals received from local authorities and use key information and matching criteria to ensure that placements are carefully matched according to children's needs. You will be required to use your initiative and be able to work independently when required to find creative solutions to foster placement requests.
The Referrals Officer role is the first point of contact between local authorities, foster families and social workers. You will need to possess good communication skills and be able to develop positive relationships with colleagues within and outside of the agency, both via written and face-to-face communication. Previous experience of working in a children's services sector may be an advantage though not essential. Excellent organisational and administrative skills are key, together with a passion and motivation to make a difference to the lives of children and their families. We provide an excellent induction into the role and full training and support will be provided.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is friendly, has a big personality, good communication and administrative skills and is seeking a role within a team to make a difference to the lives of children and families. We pride ourselves on the supportive team ethos we have within Cymru as a whole and you would be dealing with families across the whole of the country with the opportunity to visit our office in Abergele to meet with colleagues on occasion should you wish.
For more information about this post please contact Fiona Hatton, Referrals Manager, on 07813 054956 / 01745 778610.
Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer by the Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check if successful for the position.
Referrals Officer in Bridgend employer: FCA
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an exceptional employer dedicated to the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering a supportive and friendly work environment in Bridgend. With generous benefits such as 30-35 days of annual leave, a comprehensive wellness strategy, and opportunities for team-building activities, FCA fosters a culture of collaboration and appreciation, ensuring that employees feel valued while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referrals Officer in Bridgend
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering sector or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching FCA and their values. Show us how your passion aligns with making a positive difference in children's lives. We love candidates who resonate with our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Referrals Officer, you'll need to build relationships. Role-play common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for enthusiastic team players who want to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Referrals Officer in Bridgend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives, so share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to match the Referrals Officer role. Highlight your communication skills and any experience in children's services, as these are key to what we’re looking for at FCA.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well, so we can easily see how you fit into our friendly team and the role itself.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity with FCA.
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Referrals Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as managing referrals and matching placements to children's needs. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Referrals Officer, strong communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with colleagues or clients in the past. Whether it's through written reports or face-to-face interactions, be ready to highlight your ability to build positive relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
This role requires excellent organisational abilities. Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Share these examples during your interview to show that you can handle the demands of the position and keep everything running smoothly.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Fostering
Foster Care Associates is all about making a positive impact on children's lives. Be prepared to discuss why you're passionate about fostering and how your values align with the company's mission. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're a great fit for their team.
