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- Tasks: Support and connect foster families, organise events, and promote peer support.
- Company: Join a community-focused organisation dedicated to improving fostering in Hampshire.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, paid travel, training opportunities, and a competitive benefits package.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available to fit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and foster families while shaping new communities.
- Qualifications: Current foster carer with strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
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.
Other roles you may have experience of may include: Family Support Worker, Young People Support Worker, Children’s Support Worker, Foster Carer, Fostering Carer, Foster Parent, Adoption Support Worker.
Fostering Support Worker (Hive Carer) 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 (Hive Carer) 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! Don’t just wait for job postings. Contact organisations directly, express your interest, and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values, helping you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Support Worker (Hive Carer) 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 role of Fostering Support Worker. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for. This shows us that you understand the role and are genuinely interested in joining our Hive community.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and how you can contribute to our Hives.
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 have all the necessary information at your fingertips. Plus, you’ll find more details about the role and our values 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 the unique challenges foster families face in that area. This will help you demonstrate your commitment and show how you can contribute to strengthening local fostering communities.
✨Showcase Your Experience
As a current foster carer, be ready to share your personal experiences and insights. Highlight specific situations where you've provided support or problem-solving for other carers. This not only showcases your skills but also illustrates your understanding of the role's demands.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Strong communication is key in this role. Prepare examples of how you've built trusting relationships with foster families and professionals. Discuss your approach to offering emotional and practical support, as well as how you promote peer support within the Hive.
✨Be Proactive and Flexible
Demonstrate your proactive mindset by discussing how you’ve adapted to various fostering-related situations. Share examples of how you’ve organised events or activities that brought families together, showing your ability to respond flexibly to the needs of the community.