Referrals Manager - Fostering

Salary: £31,000 to £33,000 Per Annum, Dependent Upon Experience

Benefits: £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days’ Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days’ with length of service) + Bank Holidays (pro rata), Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme, Medical Cash Plan & Free Parking

ABOUT US

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK’s largest leading communities of children’s service providers. The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that is still where our Head Office is today. We have come a long way since those early days. Over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence, and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same; ‘to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities’, and it is underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential. Today, we are one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. Just because we are large does not mean we are impersonal. At FCA we are one big family, and we are committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As a Referrals Manager, you will manage Referrals teams and pro-actively stimulate new business and find ways to achieve placement targets by building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The Referrals team role is the first point of contact between Local Authorities, foster families, and Social Workers. You will be able to develop positive relationships with colleagues and be confident communicating with professionals at all levels. It would be beneficial to have experience of working within the children's services sector and in a managerial role or similar.

As the Referrals Manager, you will:

• Maintain and develop relationships with customers at various levels within the customer hierarchy through a business development approach.
• Visit potential customers for new business; you may also be the nominated Key Account Manager for some customers.
• Ensure customer engagement information is shared/captured through effective communication; customer needs analysis, database systems, or other designated tools.
• Continually seek ways to overcome barriers to entering into or maintaining relationships with customers through a variety of solutions and business methods.
• Gather market and customer information and act upon feedback/buying trends.
• Through the management of carer vacancies/support opportunities and customer relationships, supplement any reduction of incoming business with pro-active activities to increase business in line with agreed plans.
• Manage the placement of Children/Young People by following Regulations and related Legislation together with Polaris Policies and Procedures.
• Provide strong leadership through effective management and supervision of the local Referrals team in line with Polaris Vision and Values.
• Manage commercial capacity resources to maximise team performance in both new business and the transactional service.
• Experience of working in a sales/marketing/recruitment/business development role.
• Proven track record of achieving results as an individual in a target-oriented environment.
• Experience of taking corrective action to achieve results.
• Experience of working with database systems.
• Be pro-active and dynamic with a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Be creative, solution-focused, and open-minded.
• Ability to identify and capitalise on business opportunities.

Additional Skills:

• Is determined and confident.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle changing priorities.

We are a family of independent fostering agencies, all with our own individual areas of expertise, but with one shared vision. We want to give children across the country who have had a difficult start in life, the support they need to build themselves a stronger and happier future. For our Foster carers, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.

For more information about this post please contact Kate Taylor – Registered Manager on 07553 235 256. To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch. No agencies please. Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.