At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and advise foster parents, ensuring they have the resources they need.
- Company: Pioneering independent Foster Care agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and foster families.
- Qualifications: Experience in fostering or child care, strong communication skills, and a full driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
Salary: £22,000 - £26,000 (dependent on experience)
Core Hours: 9am - 5pm
Office Location: Enfield
Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days with length of service), Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash
About Us: Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of Foster Parents, we became the UK's first independent Foster Care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years' of fostering experience. The founder members recognised that looked after children - especially those who'd had very difficult starts in life - needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services.
What we are looking for: Have you previously been a foster parent and looking for a career change? The role of Fostering Advisor could be the role for you. Like our children, foster parents need support, encouragement and practical advice and sometimes just someone to listen. The Fostering Advisors in our teams are key to all of the support required to our foster parents and this critical role will be accountable for regularly visiting foster parents, offering advice and information regarding all the services and support available to them at ISP.
Role responsibilities:
- To have regular phone contact with foster parents to discuss general progress and to share ideas and strategies.
- To make home visits agreed with the ISP Social Workers and Registered Manager.
- To provide foster parents with information and advice, as appropriate, on support and services available to them through ISP and the Fostering Network.
- To co-ordinate training for foster parents.
- To be actively involved with contact arrangements and supervised contact.
- To support children and young people in their leisure activities.
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date records as required.
- To undertake other duties, tasks or projects as requested by the Registered Manager.
What you will need:
- Understanding of Fostering regulations and standards i.e. the Children's Act & Fostering Service National Minimum Standards.
- Some first-hand knowledge or experience of Fostering, ideally as a foster parent or as part of a Fostering family.
- Previous experience or a want to work in a therapeutic model of child care.
- Good understanding of Attachment and working within a therapeutic model.
- Ability to build good working relationships with professionals from various disciplines.
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
- A full driving licence, unrestricted access to your own vehicle and confidence driving across the region.
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by ISP. ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Fostering Advisor in Cheshunt employer: Integrated Services Programme
At ISP, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and nurturing employer, dedicated to the well-being of our staff and the children they serve. With a strong focus on professional development, our Fostering Advisors benefit from extensive training opportunities and a collaborative work culture that values each team member's contributions. Located in Enfield, we offer generous annual leave, a comprehensive benefits package, and a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of foster families and children.
Contact Details:
Integrated Services Programme Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Advisor in Cheshunt
✨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 Integrated Services Programme.
✨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 Integrated Services Programme!
✨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 Integrated Services Programme, 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 Integrated Services Programme 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 Advisor in Cheshunt
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 Integrated Services Programme:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Integrated Services Programme! 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 Integrated Services Programme
✨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.
