At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people in foster care, coordinating activities and providing 1-1 sessions.
- Company: Join Five Rivers Child Care, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, car allowance, ongoing training, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours required; driving licence needed for this full-time role.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Good communication skills and a passion for working with children; experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
- Start a new career at
- Five Rivers Child Care . We are looking for a
- Fostering Support Worker to join our team in
Gloucester , part of the Southwest Service.
You will be working with an experienced team and in a culture where children are valued, respected, and listened to and involved in as many decisions as possible.
A Fostering Support Worker is an exciting and important role involving a range of tasks working directly with children and young people, Foster Carers, and other professionals to ensure quality outcomes for children and young people.
You will be involved in participation events with our children and young people, where you will be coordinating group work and activities in a skilled focused way as part of our agreed programme.
Additionally, with guidance and support from our social work and clinical team, you will be providing 1-1 sessions to children and young people in their foster care placements, promoting the health and wellbeing of the children and young people.
You will support our families throughout the South West region (Bristol / North Somerset / Gloucester / Forest of Dean / Swindon / Oxford)
We are looking for someone who is child focussed, ensuring children and young people are at the forefront of all decisions.
Someone who can work as part of a team and have excellent communication with children and adults.
Additionally, experience of working in the fostering sector and/or with children/young people would be an advantage but not essential.
No formal social work qualifications are necessary, but an understanding of and empathy for the work required is necessary.
You will need to be able to drive for this role and have access to a car. Flexibility is essential in this role, you will regularly be required to work outside of 9-5 hours.
About Five Rivers
Five Rivers Child Care is a Social Enterprise who have been turning children's lives around since 1989.
We're committed to ensuring that foster carers are recruited, supported, developed, and rewarded for the crucial role they take on when they become part of the Five Rivers fostering family.
- Hours
- This is a Full Time Role of 37 hours per week
Why Five Rivers?
- 25 days plus 8 bank holidays annual leave allowance
- £4500 Car Allowance (on top of the annual salary)
- On-going training and learning through our Learning & Development Team
- We are committed to your development - we hold a Gold Investors in People Award
- Simply Health Medical Cash Back Scheme
- Blue Light Card
- Ongoing training and support from in house and external trainers
- Employee Support Programmes
- Enhanced company pension scheme (4% employer contribution)
- Refer a friend bonus scheme
- Long service and recognition scheme
- Opportunities to develop within this role
Requirements
- Good written and IT skills.
- Able to communicate with children, colleagues, and external customers.
- Able to actively listen to others.
- Valid Driving Licence
- Have the Right to Work in the UK
- Therapeutic direct work with children, young people and carers preferred but not essential as training given
Five Rivers Child Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children and Young People.
Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including employment references and DBS check
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
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Fostering Support Worker - Gloucester employer: Five Rivers
Five Rivers is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for Higher Level Teaching Assistants at our Ofsted-registered school in Rochdale. With a strong focus on professional development, we provide ongoing training opportunities and a culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and students, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. Our commitment to a trauma-informed practice model and employee support programmes makes us a unique place to grow your career in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Support Worker - Gloucester
✨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 Five Rivers.
✨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 Five Rivers!
✨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 Five Rivers, 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 Five Rivers 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 Fostering Support Worker - Gloucester
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 Five Rivers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Five Rivers! 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 Five Rivers
✨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.
