Fostering Recruitment Administrator in Stoke Prior

Location: Bromsgrove

Contract: Part Time, Permanent - 30 hours per week

Salary: Up to £20,502.86 pro rata per annum, full-time equivalent £23,920

Benefits:

• 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, full-time equivalent
• Bank Holidays
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Medical Cash Plan
• Free On-site Parking

About Us:

Polaris is one of the UK's largest children's services providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies that have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as leaving care services, education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.

Role Details:

We are looking for an engaging Fostering Recruitment Administrator to join our vibrant team supporting the recruitment of foster parents for fostering agencies across the community. In this pivotal role, you will own the administrative process for the assessment of prospective foster parents. With direction, you will guide and advise potential new applicants, helping them through the assessment process and overseeing all of the administration for each applicant or household. The role involves a wide range of administrative tasks, including seeking checks and references and closely following administrative processes. You will also need to build relationships with fostering applicants and be the point of contact to help them through their application. The successful candidate will be accountable for administering information through the in-house systems, running reports and collating recruitment information.

Role Responsibilities:

• Be the point of contact for fostering applicants once in assessment, building good relationships with each applicant
• Process all statutory checks from external agencies
• Oversee a number of concurrent applications efficiently
• Work to deadlines to ensure applicants have a smooth experience through the process
• Ensure that systems are updated with all administration tasks in a timely fashion
• Manage all incoming phone, email and postal correspondence to the centre
• Work closely with internal colleagues in the assessment teams, as well as across the regional operational teams
• Liaise, chase and communicate with external individuals, organisations and colleagues as part of the fostering assessment process

About You:

• Strong administration skills, including maintaining databases and electronic filing systems, and handling confidential paperwork
• Experience of using the full Microsoft suite, including Word, Excel & Outlook
• The ability to multitask and prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment
• The ability to work well as part of a team, as well as autonomously using your own initiative
• Clear, friendly and confident communication skills in person, in writing, including letters and email, and by telephone
• GCSE Grade C or above in English and maths, or equivalent qualification
• Experience of working within the children's services sector or a similar related field would be advantageous; however, full training will be provided
• Experience of working within an office administration role would be advantageous

Contact:

For an informal conversation about this post, please contact Ellen Husbands, Recruitment Support Team Manager.

Polaris is an equal opportunities employer. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris. Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.