At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and guide foster carers, ensuring the best outcomes for children.
- Company: A dedicated fostering agency committed to making a positive impact in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real difference while enjoying flexible working hours.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a caring attitude and willingness to learn.
- Other info: Part-time role with negotiable working days in Milton Keynes.
The predicted salary is between 22300 - 23900 £ per year.
Social network you want to login/join with:
Set up in 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 years\’ of fostering experience and we\’re still going strong!
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. In fact, that\’s what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.
Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what’s known as a ‘therapeutic approach’ to fostering and it’s something that we pioneered.
What we are looking for
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, including matching considerations, respite, training, supervised contact, and transportation.
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 Worker 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, especially information and procedures to be followed if an allegation or complaint is made.
- To co-ordinate training for foster parents
- To be actively involved with: Contact arrangements and supervised contact, Respite and transport arrangements, and to transport children directly where required, TSDS Training, Crisis intervention, Matching considerations
- To support children and young people in their leisure activities
- To assist in facilitating discussion groups and presentations at the Centre, including attending discussion groups and team meetings
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date records as required
- To be conversant with applicable regulations and standards
- To undertake other duties, tasks or projects as requested by the Registered Manager
- Work as an effective team member and attend other ISP events
What you will need
- Understanding of Fostering regulations and standards, Fostering 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
- Previous experience of providing support to foster parents and young people
- Good understanding of Attachment and working within a therapeutic model
- Ability to recognise people who foster as professionals and challenge appropriately where necessary in a way that is effective and sustains the relationship
- Ability to build good working relationships with professionals from various disciplines
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and experience of using spreadsheets and databases
- Experience of planning, organising and prioritising workloads to meet deadlines and service requirements
- Commitment to developing positive working relationships with other staff, outside agencies, our children & young people and foster parents
- A full driving licence, unrestricted access to your own vehicle and confidence driving across the region
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Fostering Advisor employer: ISP
Contact Detail:
ISP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Research the fostering sector and understand the key challenges faced by foster carers. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fostering community. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving. These are crucial traits for a Fostering Advisor and will help you stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with our company values and mission at StudySmarter. Tailoring your responses to align with our ethos will show that you are not only a good fit for the role but also for our team culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Fostering Advisor. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your experience in fostering or related fields. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the position.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should express your passion for fostering and your understanding of the challenges involved. Mention specific experiences that showcase your skills and how they relate to the job.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at ISP
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what a Fostering Advisor does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and expectations outlined in the job description, as this will help you tailor your answers to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
During the interview, express your genuine interest in fostering and child welfare. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that led you to apply for this position, as this can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges related to fostering or support work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the organisation and the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, making it a win-win situation.