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- Tasks: Support and connect foster families, organise events, and promote peer support.
- Company: Join Hampshire Hives, a community-focused fostering network.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, paid travel, training, and a competitive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and foster families.
- Qualifications: Current foster carer with strong communication and organisational skills.
- Other info: Shape the future of fostering while enjoying work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hampshire Hives are local networks of foster families who support one another to deliver outstanding care for children and young people. Each Hive brings carers together within a defined area, creating strong, connected communities built on shared experience and mutual support. As a Fostering Support Worker (Hive Carer), you’ll coordinate and support foster families within your Hive. You’ll play a key role in strengthening local fostering communities, working closely with carers and professionals to ensure children’s needs and best interests remain central to everything you do.
Following the continued success of the Hive model, we’re expanding and launching three new Hives across the county. This is an exciting time to join and help shape new Hives from the ground up, making the role your own. Posts are available leading:
- Basingstoke and Andover Hive
- Waterlooville, Havant and Hayling Island Hive
- A virtual Hive, supporting foster carers living outside of Hampshire
What you’ll do
- Act as a key point of contact for foster families: Help carers feel connected and supported by providing advice, reassurance, and assistance with problem-solving.
- Promote peer support within the Hive: Help match families who can support one another with day or overnight care.
- Organise and lead events and activities: Plan and facilitate support groups, networking sessions, family events and one-to-one support.
- Work in the best interests of children and young people, alongside social workers and other professionals.
- Make a difference to fostering in Hampshire: Contribute to the ongoing development of the Hive model across the county.
What we’re looking for
- A current foster carer, committed to continuing as an active foster carer alongside this role.
- Ability to travel regularly within your local Hive area to support foster families.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting, supportive relationships.
- Confidence in offering emotional, practical, and peer support to foster carers.
- An organised, proactive and flexible approach, with the ability to respond to a wide range of fostering-related situations when carers require your support.
- A collaborative mindset, working positively alongside professionals to meet children’s needs.
Why join us
- Help shape the future of fostering in Hampshire: Lead one of our 30 Hive networks and make a positive impact on the lives of over 480 foster families within the county.
- Work-life balance: Flexible working, with the freedom to choose your hours within the Hive’s operating times, 07:00–22:00, Monday to Saturday.
- Personal and Professional Development: Work closely with foster families in your area to build strong connections and discover new ways of meeting the needs of the young people in your care.
- Benefit from training delivered by colleagues and health professionals to further enhance your skills and experience.
- Paid travel: Claim business travel mileage from your office address.
- Employee support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package: Including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
This is a 25-hour-per-week role, with flexibility to choose working hours that fit around your family life, within core Hive hours (07:00 - 22:00, Monday - Saturday). We’re happy to discuss reduced hours or job-sharing arrangements - please don’t hesitate to get in touch to explore your options.
To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details. Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.
Fostering Support Worker in Guildford employer: Hampshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hampshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Support Worker in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current foster carers and professionals in the field. They can provide insights and may even know about openings before they're advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through. Share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to supporting families.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email to express your interest and ask any questions.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by thinking about real-life scenarios where you've made a difference. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to building strong, supportive communities within the Hive.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Support Worker in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for fostering shine through! Share your experiences and why you’re committed to supporting foster families. We want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Fostering Support Worker. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. We love seeing how you can contribute to our Hive model!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
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 the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Know Your Hive
Familiarise yourself with the specific Hive you’re applying to. Understand its values, the community it serves, and any unique challenges it faces. This will help you demonstrate your commitment and how you can contribute to strengthening that local fostering community.
✨Showcase Your Experience
As a current foster carer, share your personal experiences and insights during the interview. Highlight specific situations where you've provided support or problem-solving for other carers. This will illustrate your ability to connect and build trusting relationships within the Hive.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your response to real-life scenarios involving foster families. Think about examples where you’ve offered emotional or practical support, and be ready to discuss how you would handle various situations that may arise in the role.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with social workers and other professionals, be prepared to talk about your collaborative mindset. Share examples of how you’ve successfully worked with others to meet children’s needs, showcasing your proactive and flexible approach.
