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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with children and families, plan events, and support foster placements.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a leading fostering agency dedicated to supporting children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, generous leave, company car or allowance, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive, family-like environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare or fostering, relevant qualifications, and strong interpersonal skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours, travel across the region, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 18480 - 27600 £ per year.
Part Time 21 Hours
Location: Hybrid covering Yorks & Lincs and East Midlands. The successful candidate will be expected to regularly travel to the regional office based in Sheffield.
Basic Salary: Up to £13,800 pro rata per annum (£23,000 FTE) Dependent Upon Experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 car allowance (pro rata), 30 days' Annual Leave (rising to 35 with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & On-site Parking
About Us
Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. Today, we’re one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we’re large doesn’t mean we’re impersonal. At FCA we’re one big family, and we’re committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.
Role responsibilities
- This is an exciting opportunity and the successful candidate will be required to travel across the region to events around in and around East Midlands and Peterborough.
- Arranging activities and workshops for our looked after and birth children
- Planning family events and days out
- Forge close and productive working relationships with colleagues, Foster Parents, external professionals and multi-agency networks
- Attendance at meetings with Professionals from Education, Health and Social Services sectors to support our Children and Young People’s care plans
- Assessment, review and report writing, and maintaining clear records
- Be aware of, and take responsibility for staying up to date with professional practice standards, legislation and company policy including confidentiality, GDPR, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
- Provide support and guidance to our families and help promote the stability of foster placements
About You
- Have professional childcare experience, preferably with Fostering sector experience or the ability to demonstrate significant Fostering knowledge and interest
- Ideally possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work and/or psychology
- Can demonstrate previous experience of building strong rapports with adults and children with an array of different needs and expectations
- Able to remain calm when under high levels of pressure, emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with difficult or confrontational behaviour
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and databases
- Have a full driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle
- Be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check
We are a family of independent fostering agencies, all with our own individual areas of expertise, but with one shared vision. We want to give children across the country who have had a difficult start in life, the support they need to build themselves a stronger and happier future. For our Foster Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.
For an informal discussion about this exciting role, please contact Jo Barrass - Fostering Service Manager on 07967 381036.
No agencies please.
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 a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield employer: FCA
Contact Detail:
FCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges faced by children in foster care. Understanding their experiences will help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fostering sector. Attend local events or workshops related to children's services, as this can provide valuable insights and connections that may benefit your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in building relationships with both children and adults. Think of specific examples where you've successfully navigated challenging situations, as this will showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Foster Care Associates and their approach to fostering. Being knowledgeable about their values and practices will allow you to align your answers with their mission during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Participation Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these specific duties.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any professional childcare experience, particularly in fostering or related fields. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to build rapport with children and families, as well as your understanding of the fostering sector.
Showcase Your Skills: Mention your intermediate IT skills and any relevant qualifications. Be sure to include your ability to handle high-pressure situations and your commitment to safeguarding and inclusion, as these are crucial for the role.
Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it. Address why you want to work with Foster Care Associates specifically and how you can contribute to their mission of supporting children and foster parents.
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
Make sure to express your genuine interest in fostering and working with children and families. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as it will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built rapport with both children and adults in previous roles. Highlight specific situations where your communication skills made a positive impact, as this is crucial for the Participation Officer role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Professional Standards
Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and professional practice standards related to fostering. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance with these standards in your work, showcasing your commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
Since the role involves planning activities and workshops, be ready to talk about your organisational abilities. Share examples of past events you've coordinated, focusing on how you managed logistics and engaged participants effectively.
