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- Tasks: Support children in foster care by organising activities and advocating for their needs.
- Company: Join a family-oriented fostering agency dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: £23,000 salary, company car or allowance, 30 days leave, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 26000 £ per year.
Location: The successful candidate will be expected to regularly travel to the regional office based in Sheffield. There will be an expectation that if successful you will travel throughout the region that includes Yorks, Lincs, East Midlands and Northants. There will be some opportunity to work from home when relevant.
Basic Salary: £23,000 per annum
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 for someone who is passionate about working with children and supporting them to make a difference in their community. The successful candidate will be part of a small team supporting the delivery of the agency's Participation Service.
- Arranging activities and workshops for children in our care and children who foster.
- Planning family events and days out.
- Forge close and productive working relationships with regional 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.
- Maintain 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: Ideally you will have some experience of working with children and young people, supporting and advocating to ensure their voices are heard. Some experience of working with and/or understanding of children and young people who have experienced trauma, helping them to achieve positive outcomes, will be useful. Ideally you will possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work and/or psychology.
- You will have excellent communication skills, with an ability to build a strong rapport with both children and adults 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.
- Good written skills with 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.
FCA is part of the Polaris group being 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.
Locations
Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield, Yorkshire 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, Yorkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering and children’s services sector. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and why you care about supporting children and families. Authenticity goes a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching FCA and their values. Understand their approach to fostering and think about how your skills align with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the FCA family. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield, Yorkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children and families shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have with children and young people, especially those who have faced challenges. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission at FCA.
Be Clear and Concise: Good written skills are key! Keep your application clear and to the point, while still showcasing your personality. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of what you want to say.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Participation Officer and the specific needs of children in foster care. Familiarise yourself with FCA's values and how they align with your passion for supporting children and families.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant experience you have working with children and young people, especially those who have faced trauma. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've made a positive impact in similar roles.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Demonstrate your excellent communication skills by actively listening and responding thoughtfully to their questions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics at FCA. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
