At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect children with loving foster families and support their unique needs.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading children's service provider dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, pension, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Full training provided; dynamic team environment with growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be the key link in transforming lives and creating lasting family connections.
- 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
Why Work With Us?
At Polaris, we are proud to be one of the UK's largest communities of children's service providers. For over 30 years, we have been dedicated to improving the lives of young people through our independent fostering and adoption agencies, education, residential services, and more. Our nurturing community is committed to achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care. Join us in making a difference!
What We Are Looking For
We are on the hunt for a proactive and relationship-driven Referrals Officer to join our established Referrals Team. In this vital role, you will be the first point of contact between local authorities, foster families, and social workers, ensuring that every referral is matched with the right foster family based on the child's unique needs.
Your Responsibilities
- Take ownership of all foster family vacancies and act as the key contact for specific fostering agencies within the Polaris Community.
- Accurately monitor and record foster family vacancies.
- Engage daily with foster families via phone or Teams video calls.
- Attend regular meetings with agency managers and social workers.
- Keep the recording system (CHARMS) updated.
- Utilize internal performance tools to track data and support agency growth.
- Respond to new referrals within 15 minutes, ensuring quick and careful matching.
- 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 and challenges.
- Log successful matches and declines accurately on agency spreadsheets.
What You Bring
- Strong administration skills, including screening referrals and updating internal systems.
- A methodical and organized approach to managing and prioritizing your workload.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced team environment while also working autonomously.
- Confidence in communicating with both internal and external teams.
- A drive to maximize referral conversions into successful placements.
- A genuine commitment to the ethos and values of the Polaris Community and its agencies.
- Experience in the children's services sector is a plus, but full training will be provided.
Working Conditions & Benefits
- 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service + bank holidays.
- Company Pension.
- Life Assurance.
- Employee Discount Scheme.
- Medical Cash Plan.
- Free on-site parking.
We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check. Join us at Polaris and be part of a team that is making a real difference in the lives of children and families!
Locations
Communities Officer (Children & Young People) in Kent, Sittingbourne employer: Polaris Community
Polaris is an exceptional employer dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, a company pension, and a commitment to training, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in Sittingbourne, our team is passionate about fostering strong relationships and achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communities Officer (Children & Young People) in Kent, Sittingbourne
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Polaris Community.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Polaris Community.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Polaris Community.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Polaris Community. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Communities Officer (Children & Young People) in Kent, Sittingbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Polaris Community. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Communities Officer (Children & Young People), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Polaris Community. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
