At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and children, organise events, and make a real difference in their lives.
- Company: Join the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK, rated a Great Place to Work!
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 40 days annual leave, life assurance, and a flexible benefits scheme.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on young lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Good communication skills, IT literacy, and a full driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 27612 - 31000 £ per year.
Location: Kindercare, Belfast
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week
Salary: £27,612 - £31,000 + £3,000 Car allowance per annum
About National Fostering Group:
With over 20 years experience, National Fostering Group is the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK with a community of over 2,500 foster carers. In Northern Ireland, we work with Local Trusts to provide the highest quality of care for children and young people. All of our fostering agencies are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either Outstanding or Good.
About the Role:
Our office base is Kindercare Fostering, Belfast. We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, conscientious and creative Support Worker to work closely with our team of Supervising Social Workers and Foster Carers to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people in foster care. Your role will include:
- Undertaking specific tasks in relation to supporting foster carers in their care of children
- Direct work with children and young people
- Organising events for foster carers and children on a regular basis
- A range of other tasks
Who we are looking for:
A key part of your role will be responding flexibly and quickly to support foster carers with the challenges of care experienced children and young people. You will also support children and young people participating in Duke of Edinburgh. You will need to have good communication skills, a professional approach to working with children, young people and foster carers, openness to extending your knowledge and skills, and a genuine desire to fulfill the responsibilities of the support worker role. You will also need to be IT literate, have a full driving licence and your own transport.
Benefits:
- Up to 40 days annual leave each year (26 base entitlement + 1 One moment in time + 8 bank holidays + ability to buy up to 5 extra days)
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- Your Wellbeing Matters access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
- A market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Support Worker in Newtownabbey employer: Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland
At National Fostering Group, we pride ourselves on being a Great Place to Work, with 83% of our employees affirming this sentiment. Located in Belfast, our supportive work culture prioritises the wellbeing of our staff, offering an exceptional benefits package including up to 40 days annual leave, a flexible benefits platform, and a unique 4-day working week after a successful probation period. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people while enjoying ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Contact Details:
Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Newtownabbey
✨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 Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland.
✨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 Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland!
✨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 Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland, 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 Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland 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 Support Worker in Newtownabbey
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 Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland! 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 Kindercare Fostering Northern Ireland
✨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.
