At a Glance
- Tasks: Help match children with loving foster families and support their journey to stability.
- Company: Join Lancashire County Council's dynamic Fostering Service team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team dedicated to positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help them thrive.
- Qualifications: Passion for child welfare and teamwork skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28142 - 32061 £ per year.
Salary £28,142- £32,061 Per annum | Permanent| Full Time - 37 hours per week
Join our dynamic Fostering Service as a Family Finding Support Worker, where you will play a vital role in securing safe, nurturing homes for children in care. Working as part of a high-performing and supportive team, you will help match children with the right fostering families, making a lasting difference to their lives and futures. This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of Lancashire County Council’s commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people.
Are you passionate about making a real difference to the lives of children and young people? Do you want to be part of a motivated, innovative team that is dedicated to finding the right homes for children in care? Lancashire County Council is looking for a Family Finding Support Worker to join our Fostering Service within the Resilience, Development and Support Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in one of the most important aspects of children’s social care – identifying and securing nurturing, stable fostering homes where children can thrive.
Since the expansion of our Family Finding service in 2024, we have developed a strong, high-performing team that is driven by a shared ambition: to achieve the very best outcomes for the children we support. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, solution-focused approach and our commitment to continually improving what we do.
In this role, you will:
- Work creatively and purposefully to identify and match children with fostering families, ensuring their needs, experiences and futures are at the heart of every decision.
- Support children to move into safe, stable and nurturing homes, including short-term, long-term and step-down from residential care arrangements.
- Contribute to innovative approaches such as activity days and fostering events, helping children and carers build meaningful connections.
- Work closely with social workers, foster carers and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and families.
This role is more than just matching – it’s about changing lives. You will help children experience stability, belonging and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
At Lancashire County Council, we believe in:
- Putting children and families at the heart of everything we do.
- Valuing diversity, partnership working and strong communities.
- Supporting our staff to grow, develop and thrive in their careers.
You will be joining a service that:
- Is supportive, forward-thinking and ambitious.
- Encourages innovation and new ideas.
- Invests in your learning, development and wellbeing.
- Recognises the importance of teamwork and shared success.
If you are enthusiastic, committed and want to be part of a service that is making a genuine difference every day, we would love to hear from you.
If you have any questions or want to discuss further please contact the family finding manager - emma.bottomley@lancashire.gov.uk
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.
In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website. We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Support Worker - Fostering Family Finding| Permanent| Full-Time in Preston employer: Lancashire County Council
Join Lancashire County Council as a Family Finding Support Worker and be part of a dedicated team that is committed to making a real difference in the lives of children and young people. With a strong focus on employee development, innovation, and collaboration, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values diversity and encourages new ideas. This role not only offers competitive salary and benefits but also the opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes for children in care within a forward-thinking environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Fostering Family Finding| Permanent| Full-Time in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering and social care sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to fostering and child welfare. We should also think about real-life scenarios where we've made a difference. This will help us showcase our passion and commitment during the interview!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our skills and experiences through a personal portfolio. Include examples of our work, any relevant training, and testimonials from colleagues or supervisors. This can really set us apart from other candidates!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep an eye on new opportunities and updates directly from the source!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Fostering Family Finding| Permanent| Full-Time in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through. We want to see how much you care about supporting children and families, so share your motivations and experiences that align with our mission.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Family Finding Support Worker. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that demonstrate your ability to match children with fostering families and contribute to their wellbeing.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to say. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this rewarding opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancashire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Family Finding Support Worker. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and values of Lancashire County Council, especially their commitment to children and families. This will help you demonstrate your passion for making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Think about your past experiences that relate to fostering or working with children. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children or families in challenging situations. This will show that you have the practical skills needed for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the team dynamics, innovative approaches they use, or how they support staff development. Asking questions shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working closely with social workers, foster carers, and partner agencies, highlight your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others to achieve positive outcomes, as this aligns with their focus on partnership working.
