At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan fun activities and workshops for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Company: Join Orange Grove, a caring organisation dedicated to fostering strong relationships.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, car allowance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare or fostering, with strong communication and IT skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Maternity Cover Participation Officer - Orange Grove
Contract Type: Full Time
Salary: £24,874.12 per annum
Contract Term: 12-month Fixed-Term Contract
Location: London and Kent
Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance and Employee Discount Scheme
About Us: Orange Grove was founded in 1996 by two social workers who understood that strong relationships held the key to successful fostering. As with all families, relationships matter. They provide a stable platform for growth, which is why we commit time, effort and resources to nurturing them constantly. We do this for the children in our care by getting to know them and providing a safe and positive family environment. We do it for our foster parents by treating them individually and tailoring our support to their needs. We take care to build strong and positive relationships with local authorities and our other partners, so we can all work effectively together.
Orange Grove Southern Counties has an exciting opportunity for a Participation Officer to join our team on a fixed-term contract. You will play an important part in our continuing commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our children and young people, ensuring that their views and experiences shape the services we provide.
Requirements:
- Have significant professional childcare experience, with priority given to candidates who have some fostering sector experience or can demonstrate significant fostering knowledge and interest.
- Ideally possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work or psychology.
- Can demonstrate previous experience of building rapport with adults and children with an array of different needs and expectations.
- Able to remain calm when under high levels of pressure, in emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with challenging behaviour.
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and databases.
- Have a full UK driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle.
- Be willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Orange Grove Fostercare.
Responsibilities:
- Arrange activities and workshops for our looked-after and birth children.
- Plan family events and days out.
- Forge close and productive working relationships with colleagues, foster parents, external professionals and multi-agency networks.
- Attend meetings with professionals from education, health and social services sectors to support our children and young people's care plans.
- Complete assessments, reviews and reports, and maintain clear records.
- Be aware of and take responsibility for staying up to date with professional practice standards, legislation and company policy, including confidentiality, GDPR, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Provide support and guidance to our families and help promote the stability of foster placements.
Orange Grove Fostercare is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Orange Grove Fostercare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Participation Officer employer: Orange Grove Fostercare
Orange Grove Fostering Services is an exceptional employer that prioritises strong relationships and a supportive work culture, making it an ideal place for Supervising Social Workers. With a commitment to employee well-being, the company offers generous benefits including a £3,000 car allowance, up to 35 days of annual leave, and a comprehensive medical cash plan. Located in Beverley and Doncaster, employees have the opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in their communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer
✨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 Orange Grove Fostercare.
✨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 Orange Grove Fostercare!
✨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 Orange Grove Fostercare, 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 Orange Grove Fostercare 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 Participation Officer
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 Orange Grove Fostercare:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Orange Grove Fostercare! 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 Orange Grove Fostercare
✨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.
