At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and improve outcomes for children in care through effective matching.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a Disability Confident Employer with a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 3 in Childcare or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 35451 - 39165 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA
Salary: £35,451 - £39,165 per annum
Working Hours: 37 hrs per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 19th April 2026
Interview Date(s): 7th May 2026
Are you passionate about working with foster carers and helping to improve the outcomes for our children in care through careful and considered matching to their foster carers? Are you interested in supporting the well-being of foster carers and their children? Do you want to work within a busy and supportive team which is committed to ensuring that our children in care receive a high standard of care and our foster carers feel well supported and have the necessary skills to care for children?
About the Role
We are looking to recruit a Duty Support Worker to join our busy team which focuses on supporting mainstream foster carers care for our looked after children. As a Duty Support Worker your primary responsibility will be attending to the referrals for our looked after children and matching the children to our in-house mainstream foster carers. You will work within a dedicated duty team to ensure that children are placed with foster carers that have the skill base and knowledge to meet their needs and ensure that any matches are made in a trauma-informed manner.
As a Duty Support Worker you will need to develop good working relationships with our foster carers so excellent communication skills are essential. You will develop positive working relationships with other service areas and teams to ensure that placements are made in the best interests of the child/carer. Placement matching to carers' approval and skill set is fundamental to safer placements; you will work as part of the team around the child to support this. We also collate data against our utilisation and you will provide this information to our Improvement Cycle Meetings.
Our Duty Support Workers are also expected to hold additional responsibilities within the team such as working with our birth children, supporting carers in a more direct manner or taking responsibility for a service area such as EDI. This will be agreed once you are in post and in line with your skills and interests. As a team we hold a number of events throughout the year and it will be part of your role to help to arrange and facilitate these, some of which are outside of the normal office hours. The role is a full-time position and there is 1 permanent post available. An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- NVQ level 3 in Childcare or equivalent and relevant experience.
- Demonstrate an awareness of working with foster carers and Children in Care alongside an understanding of Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and safeguarding procedures.
- Have knowledge of the triggers, factors and barriers faced by children and young people in care and how we can support them and their carers to overcome these barriers.
- The ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of people, including representatives from other agencies, using skills of negotiation and persuasion.
- The ability to prioritise effectively across a wide range of competing demands to meet deadlines.
- The ability to report and analyse data within a service to evidence compliance with aims and objectives.
- The ability to use information technology applications e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Word and database applications as relevant to the department.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, contact Rachael Young - Team Manager - Team Around the Child, Telephone: 0116 305 4482, Email: Rachael.Young@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Duty Support Worker - Team around the child employer: Nottingham City Council
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working options, and a focus on making a meaningful impact in the community, our Duty Support Workers play a vital role in enhancing the lives of children in care and their foster families. Join us at County Hall in Glenfield, where you will be part of a passionate team that values collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Duty Support Worker - Team around the child
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Leicestershire County Council and the Team Around the Child. Understanding their values and recent projects can help you connect during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since excellent communication is key for this role, try role-playing common interview questions with a friend. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When discussing your experience, highlight specific examples where you've made a difference in the lives of children or foster carers. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Make sure to submit your application early and include a strong supporting statement that showcases how you meet the criteria. We want to see your enthusiasm and fit for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Duty Support Worker - Team around the child
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Make sure to express your passion for working with foster carers and children in care. We want to see how much you care about improving their outcomes, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this commitment.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:When writing your supporting statement, directly address the criteria listed in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and experience, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Communication is key! Ensure your application is clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon, so we can easily understand how you meet the requirements.
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with fostering regulations and the specific needs of children in care. Brush up on your knowledge about trauma-informed care and how it impacts placement matching. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you understand its complexities.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse groups in the past, especially in challenging situations. This will help you demonstrate your negotiation and persuasion skills during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your passion for supporting foster carers and children shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to improving outcomes for children in care. This will resonate with the interviewers and show that you genuinely care about the work.
✨Prepare for Data Discussion
Since the role involves reporting and analysing data, be ready to discuss your experience with data management. Think of examples where you’ve used data to inform decisions or improve processes. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to contribute to the Improvement Cycle Meetings.
