At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care by organising fun activities and workshops.
- Company: Join a compassionate agency dedicated to fostering children's voices.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, a company car, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a relevant qualification in childcare or social work.
The predicted salary is between 23542 - 23542 £ per year.
Role Responsibilities
- Working as part of a small team supporting the delivery of the agency's Participation Service.
- Arranging activities and workshops for children in care and foster children.
- Planning family events and days out.
- Forging close and productive working relationships with regional colleagues, foster parents, external professionals and multi‑agency networks.
- Attending meetings with professionals from Education, Health and Social Services sectors to support Children and Young People's care plans.
- Maintaining clear records and staying up to date with professional practice standards, legislation and company policy including confidentiality, GDPR, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Providing support and guidance to families and helping to promote the stability of foster placements.
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience working with children and young people, supporting and advocating so that their voices are heard.
- Experience or understanding of children and young people who have experienced trauma, helping them to achieve positive outcomes.
- Relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work and/or psychology.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong rapport with children and adults with diverse needs and expectations.
- Ability to remain calm under high levels of pressure and in emotionally traumatic situations, and when dealing with difficult or confrontational behaviour.
- Good written skills and intermediate IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and databases.
- Full driving licence and unrestricted access to own vehicle.
- Willingness to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.
Equal Opportunities
Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the job centre plus.
Location and Travel
Location: Sheffield, S11 8RZ. Regular travel to the regional office in Sheffield and to Yorks, Lincs, East Midlands and Northants is expected. Some opportunity to work from home when relevant.
Working Hours and Salary
Full‑time, 35 hours per week. Basic Salary: £23,542.56 per annum.
Benefits
- Company car or £2,000 car allowance (pro rata).
- 30 days annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays.
- Company pension.
- Life assurance x2.
- Employee discount scheme.
- On‑site parking.
Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Liversedge employer: Foster Care Associates (fca)
Foster Care Associates is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer extensive training opportunities and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in Sheffield, our team enjoys a collaborative environment, competitive benefits including generous annual leave, and the flexibility of occasional remote work, all while contributing to the stability and well-being of foster placements.
Contact Details:
Foster Care Associates (fca) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Liversedge
✨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 Foster Care Associates (fca).
✨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 Foster Care Associates (fca)!
✨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 Foster Care Associates (fca), 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 Foster Care Associates (fca) 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 Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Liversedge
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 Foster Care Associates (fca):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Foster Care Associates (fca)! 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 Foster Care Associates (fca)
✨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.
