At a Glance
- Tasks: Support prospective foster carers through their journey with clear information and excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Camden, a diverse and inclusive organisation dedicated to improving children's outcomes.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, flexible working, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for community engagement and collaboration across North London.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in customer service or enquiry handling.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
As an Enquiry Officer, you’ll be part of the North London Fostering Hub’s single front door and one of the first people prospective foster carers speak to. You’ll play an important role in making sure every prospective carer receives a welcoming, responsive and informed experience from their initial enquiry through the early stages of their fostering journey.
Managing enquiries across telephone, digital and event-based channels, you’ll provide clear and accurate information about fostering, the application process and what prospective carers can expect. You’ll help people stay engaged, support attendance at information sessions and ensure timely follow-up as they progress towards assessment. Accurate information is essential to the success of the hub, so you’ll also maintain high-quality records, track enquiries and support effective handovers into assessment pathways.
You’ll work closely with colleagues across the six North London boroughs and contribute to recruitment events, information sessions and community engagement activities. You’ll also help us continuously improve the experience of prospective foster carers by identifying barriers, trends and opportunities to strengthen their journey. This is a hybrid role based in Camden, with travel across North London as required. Some evening and weekend working may be needed to support events and engagement activities.
You’ll be a confident and approachable communicator who understands the importance of providing excellent customer service, particularly when conversations may be personal or sensitive. You’ll have experience working in a customer-facing or enquiry-handling environment and be comfortable communicating with people through different channels. You’ll know how to listen, provide clear and accurate information and create a positive experience from the very first interaction.
Highly organised with strong attention to detail, you’ll be able to manage multiple enquiries and competing priorities while maintaining accurate records and meeting service standards. You’ll also understand the importance of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately. Collaboration will come naturally to you. You’ll enjoy working with colleagues and partners across different teams and organisations and will bring a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children by supporting prospective foster carers through the first steps of their journey.
Experience within children’s services, recruitment or the public sector would be an advantage, but most importantly, we’re looking for someone with strong communication and interpersonal skills, a customer-focused approach and the ability to provide a professional, supportive and inclusive service.
At Camden, you’ll receive a host of benefits including:
- 27 days annual leave for new starters, rising to 31 days after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible working opportunities
- Interest free loans
- Access to our incredible staff networks
- Career development and training
- Wellbeing support and activities
At Camden, we want every colleague to feel they belong and can thrive. We welcome applications from all parts of our community, and particularly encourage people from Black, Asian and Other Ethnic Heritage communities, LGBTQ+ people, disabled and neurodiverse people, survivors of domestic abuse, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds or with care experience. We know that different voices and perspectives make us stronger, and we are committed to providing the support, adjustments and flexibility people need to succeed.
Camden is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions.
Enquiry Officer - NL Fostering Hub in London employer: London Borough of Camden
The London Borough of Camden is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of private renters. With a strong commitment to employee development and a collaborative culture, you will have access to ongoing training and growth opportunities while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to upholding housing rights. Located in the vibrant heart of London, this role not only provides meaningful work but also the chance to engage with diverse communities and drive impactful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Enquiry Officer - NL Fostering Hub in London
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to London Borough of Camden, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Enquiry Officer - NL Fostering Hub in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of London Borough of Camden. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at London Borough of Camden. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Camden
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with London Borough of Camden.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Enquiry Officer - NL Fostering Hub role at London Borough of Camden, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show London Borough of Camden that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
