At a Glance
- Tasks: Match children with loving foster families and support their needs.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading community in children's services for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, pension, life assurance, and medical cash plan.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with full training provided and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills and a passion for supporting children and families.
The predicted salary is between 23195 - 23195 £ per year.
Location: Sittingbourne
Contract: Full Time, Permanent – 35 hours per week
Salary: Up to £23,195.81 per annum
- 30 days’ annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service + bank holidays
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
- Free on-site parking
About Us
We are Polaris, one of the UK’s largest communities of children’s service providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as education, residential and leaving care services, and bespoke children’s services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We’re ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a proactive, relationship-driven Referrals Officer to join our established Referrals Team. A “Referral” is a request from a local authority to find a suitable foster family for a child or young person who needs a safe and supportive home. In this pivotal role, you’ll be the first point of contact between local authorities, foster families, and social workers—making sure every referral is carefully matched to the right foster family based on the child’s needs.
Role Responsibilities
- Take ownership for all foster family vacancies and act as the key point of contact for specific fostering agencies within the Polaris Community
- Accurately monitor and record foster family vacancies
- Engage daily, by phone call or Teams video call, with all foster families on the vacancy list
- Attend regular meetings with agency managers and social workers
- Ensure the recording system (CHARMS) is kept updated
- Use internal performance tools to track data and support foster family vacancies and agency growth
- Respond to new referrals within 15 minutes, matching children to suitable foster families quickly and carefully
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities and commissioning teams
- Adopt a solution-focused approach to overcome barriers and secure successful matches
- Provide daily updates to your line manager on referral activity, carer availability, and any challenges
- Log successful matches and declines accurately on agency spreadsheets
Requirements
- Strong administration skills, including screening referrals and updating internal systems
- A methodical and organised approach to managing and prioritising workload effectively
- The ability to work well within a fast-paced team environment, as well as autonomously using your own initiative
- Confidence communicating with both internal and external teams
- Driven to maximise referral conversions into successful placement matches with available foster families
- A genuine commitment to the ethos and values of the Polaris Community and its agencies (ISP, Orange Grove, Fosterplus, Clifford House).
- Experience of working within the children’s services sector/similar related field would be advantageous, however, full training will be provided
We are an equal opportunities employer. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check. Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert without notification.
Referrals Officer – Fostering in Sittingbourne employer: Leaving Care Solutions Limited
Polaris is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment in Sittingbourne. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including 30 days of annual leave, a comprehensive pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within our community of children's service providers. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people while enjoying a collaborative culture that values ambition and commitment to excellence.
Contact Details:
Leaving Care Solutions Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referrals Officer – Fostering in Sittingbourne
✨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 Leaving Care Solutions Limited.
✨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 Leaving Care Solutions Limited!
✨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 Leaving Care Solutions Limited, 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 Leaving Care Solutions Limited 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 Referrals Officer – Fostering in Sittingbourne
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 Leaving Care Solutions Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leaving Care Solutions Limited! 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 Leaving Care Solutions Limited
✨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.
