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- Tasks: Support children in foster care by organising activities and advocating for their needs.
- Company: Join a family-oriented fostering agency dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: £23,000 salary, company car or allowance, 30+ days leave, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 26000 £ per year.
The successful candidate will be expected to regularly travel to the regional office based in Sheffield. There will be an expectation that if successful you will travel throughout the region that includes Yorks, Lincs, East Midlands and Northants. There will be some opportunity to work from home when relevant.
Basic Salary: £23,000 per annum
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 car allowance (pro rata), 30 days’ Annual Leave (rising to 35 with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & On-site 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. Today, we’re one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we’re large doesn’t mean we’re impersonal. At FCA we’re one big family, and we’re committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.
Role responsibilities:
- This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with children and supporting them to make a difference in their community. The successful candidate will be part of a small team supporting the delivery of the agency’s Participation Service.
- Arranging activities and workshops for children in our care and children who foster
- Planning family events and days out
- Forge close and productive working relationships with regional colleagues, Foster Parents, external professionals and multi-agency networks
- Attendance at meetings with Professionals from Education, Health and Social Services sectors to support our Children and Young People’s care plans
- 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
About You:
- Ideally you will have some experience of working with children and young people, supporting and advocating to ensure their voices are heard
- Some experience of working with and/or understanding of children and young people who have experienced trauma, helping them to achieve positive outcomes, will be useful
- Ideally you will possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work and/or psychology
- You will have excellent communication skills, with an ability to build a strong rapport with both children and adults with an array of different needs and expectations
- Able to remain calm when under high levels of pressure, emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with difficult or confrontational behaviour
- Good written skills with Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and databases
- Have a full driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle
- Be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check
FCA is part of the Polaris group being 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 Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.
For an informal discussion about this exciting role, please contact Jo Barrass – Fostering Service Manager on 07967 381036.
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.
Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield employer: Polaris Community
Contact Detail:
Polaris Community Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering and children’s services sector. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching FCA and their values. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your answers to show how your passion for supporting children aligns with their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've worked with children and families in the past. Highlight any relevant training or qualifications that make you a great fit for the Participation Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the FCA family and making a difference in the lives of children.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children and families shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the role of Participation Officer. Highlight your experience with children and young people, especially those who have faced challenges. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate good written skills, so make sure your application is well-structured and free from jargon. This will help us understand your qualifications and experiences better.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Participation Officer and the specific responsibilities it entails. Familiarise yourself with FCA's mission and values, especially their commitment to supporting children and foster parents. This will show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with children and young people, especially those who have faced trauma. Highlight any relevant qualifications or training you have in childcare or social work to back up your claims.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use your excellent communication skills to engage them in conversation. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can forge strong relationships with children, families, and professionals alike.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Be prepared to discuss how you handle stressful situations, especially when working with children in emotionally charged environments. Share strategies you’ve used in the past to remain calm and effective, as this is crucial for the role.
