At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and children with practical, emotional, and social needs.
- Company: Join a caring not-for-profit fostering agency making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work from home with travel across beautiful South Central England.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Childcare or related field; experience with children preferred.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 27000 £ per year.
Fostering Family Support Worker, Full Time
Salary : £27,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time hours) applications for job share and/or part-time hours will be considered.
Hours : 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract. Working mainly after school and early evenings but there will be mornings. There will be some weekend work required.
Location : Home-based with extensive travel across Hampshire, West Berkshire, Wiltshire, Reading and surrounding areas (milage will be paid).
A driving licence is required for this role together with business class vehicle insurance and access to a vehicle.
Reporting to : Fostering Service Manager
We offer a workplace that genuinely cares about people, both our staff and the young people we support. Alongside a meaningful role, you will receive:
- £27,000 per annum for 37.5 hours per week permanent contract.
- 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract. Working mainly after school and early evenings. There will be some weekend work required.
- Life assurance
- Casual and inclusive dress code
- Company pension (with award-winning Royal London)
- 24/7 access to a GP
- Training (training will be provided)
- Opportunity to gain a funded qualification after successful probation
- Health Cash Plan (cashback for dental and optical expenses, plus more)
- Employee Assistance Programmes
About Us
Step by Step Fostering is a not-for-profit fostering agency dedicated to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive foster homes for children and young people across South Central England.
We are committed to helping children and young people thrive, reach their potential, and experience the stability and care they deserve.
Established in 2021 by the Step by Step charity, our fostering service builds on more than 35 years of experience supporting vulnerable young people.
Approved by Ofsted, we provide foster placements for children and young people aged 0–18, including sibling groups and those with more complex needs.
As part of the Step by Step Partnership, we benefit from the expertise and resources of a charity that supports over 1,300 young people each year through accommodation, personal development opportunities, and specialist support services.
This unique connection enables us to take a holistic approach to supporting children, young people, foster carers, and families.
Our team is passionate, professional, and dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare and expect all employees, foster carers, and volunteers to share this commitment.
Through compassion, expertise, and strong relationships, we help create positive futures for the children and young people in our care.
Role Purpose
To provide practical, emotional and social support to foster carers and children and young people within fostering households.
The post holder will help carers fulfil their fostering responsibilities by delivering respite support, supervising and transporting children, supporting parenting specifically PACE parenting, encouraging positive experiences, and promoting the safety, wellbeing and development of children who are looked after.
To provide Therapeutic PACE parenting (for which training will be given) and support with the delivery of training for foster carers.
The role also supports fostering recruitment activities, engaging with prospective foster carers representing the organisation at events across the region.
- Provide morning, daytime, evening and weekend respite support for foster carers.
- Transport children safely to school, appointments, activities and other agreed destinations.
- Collect children from school or foster homes where appropriate.
- Supervise and transport to family contact sessions as directed.
- Provide one-to‑one support sessions for children and young people in the community.
- Plan and participate in enjoyable, age‑appropriate activities based on the child's interests and needs.
- Support to Foster Carers
- Assist foster carers in meeting the needs of children placed with them.
- Attend meetings alongside foster carers and contribute professional observations.
- Provide practical support during periods of increased need.
- Respond flexibly to support requests, sometimes at short notice.
- Build positive and professional relationships with fostering households.
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Promote the welfare and safety of children and young people at all times.
- Follow safeguarding policies, procedures and professional standards.
- Identify and report concerns promptly and appropriately.
- Work in a trauma‑informed manner and respond effectively to challenging situations.
- Ensure all activities and support are undertaken in accordance with risk assessments and care plans.
- Recording and Reporting
- Maintain accurate, timely and professional records.
- Complete reports and provide updates following support sessions.
- Contribute to statutory reviews, meetings and care planning processes.
- Document observations and outcomes evidencing progress and positive engagement.
- Recruitment and Service Development
- Support recruitment, information and community engagement events.
- Assist with online and face‑to‑face fostering promotion activities and training.
- Represent the organisation professionally within the community.
- General Responsibilities
- Maintain confidential information in line with Data Protection legislation and organisational policies.
- Participate in supervision, training, coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Work flexibly, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays where required.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Social Care, Health and Social Care or a related field.
- Experience (can be from previous working experience or through student placements)
- Experience of working with children and young people who have social, educational, emotional or health needs.
- Experience of building positive relationships with children and families.
- Experience of safeguarding children and recognising welfare concerns.
- Experience of recording information and maintaining professional records.
- Understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
- Understanding of the needs of children in care and fostering families.
- Awareness of the impact of trauma on children and young people's behaviour and development.
- Knowledge of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to engage positively with children and young people.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative.
- Strong organisational and time‑management skills.
- Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with carers, professionals and families.
- Competent IT skills for recording and reporting purposes.
- Full UK driving licence, business class vehicle insurance and access to a vehicle.
- Access to a vehicle suitable for transporting children.
- Business‑use vehicle insurance and valid MOT.
- Ability to travel extensively across the service area.
- Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
- Enhanced DBS clearance (this will sourced and paid for by Step by Step Fostering).
- Right to work in the UK.
- Previous experience within fostering, residential care, family support or youth work.
- Experience of supervising family contact.
- Understanding of the fostering sector and the role of foster carers.
- Additional training in safeguarding, attachment, trauma‑informed practice or behaviour support.
- Experience supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- Child‑centred practice
- Compassion and empathy
- Professional integrity
- Reliability and accountability
- Resilience
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Commitment to safeguarding
- Fostering Area to be Covered
A driving licence is required for this role together with business class vehicle insurance and access to a vehicle.
Across Hampshire, West Berkshire, Wiltshire, Reading, Salisbury and surrounding areas (milage will be paid)
Recruitment Process
Please submit your application as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this advert and application process early if we receive enough candidates.
There will be two interviews, the first interview being online, if you are successful at the first stage interview you will be invited in for a face to face interview.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All staff are expected to share this commitment.
As part of our safer recruitment process, we will complete reference checks, a DBS check and confirm your full employment history as well as other pre employment checks.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role therefore, you must have the right to work in the United Kingdom
We are not working with recruitment agencies for this vacancy, and ask agencies not to send unsolicited CV's.
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Fostering Family Support Worker, Full Time employer: Step by Step Partnership Ltd
Step by Step Fostering is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of both its staff and the vulnerable young people they support. With a commitment to professional development, including opportunities for funded qualifications, and a supportive work culture that values compassion and teamwork, employees can thrive in a meaningful role while enjoying benefits such as life assurance, a health cash plan, and flexible working hours. Based in a home-based setting with extensive travel across beautiful regions like Hampshire and Wiltshire, this role offers a unique chance to make a lasting impact in the community.
Contact Details:
Step by Step Partnership Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Family Support Worker, Full Time
✨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 Step by Step Partnership Ltd.
✨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 Step by Step Partnership Ltd!
✨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 Step by Step Partnership Ltd, 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 Step by Step Partnership Ltd 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 Fostering Family Support Worker, Full Time
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 Step by Step Partnership Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Step by Step Partnership Ltd! 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 Step by Step Partnership Ltd
✨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.
