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- Tasks: Plan fun activities and support foster families across the North West region.
- Company: Join a family-oriented fostering agency dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a caring community.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare or fostering, with strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Flexible part-time role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 18400 - 18400 £ per year.
Foster Care Associates (The FCA) is looking for a Participation Officer (Children & Families) to work part-time, 28 hours per week, home-based covering the North West region. The successful candidate will be expected to regularly travel to the regional office based in Chorley.
Basic Salary: £23,000 per annum gross (full-time equivalent) £18,400 pro rata
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. All benefits pro-rata.
About Us: Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, 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 are one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. At FCA, we are committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.
Role Responsibilities:
- Travel across the region to events around the North West.
- Arrange activities and workshops for our looked after and birth children.
- Plan family events and days out.
- Forge close and productive working relationships with colleagues, Foster Parents, external professionals and multi-agency networks.
- Attend meetings with Professionals from Education, Health and Social Services sectors to support our Children and Young People’s care plans.
- Assessment, review and report writing, and maintaining clear records.
- Stay 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:
- Have professional childcare experience, preferably with Fostering sector experience or the ability to demonstrate significant Fostering knowledge and interest.
- Ideally possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work and/or psychology.
- Can demonstrate previous experience of building strong rapports with adults and children with an array of different needs and expectations.
- Able to remain calm under high levels of pressure, emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with difficult or confrontational behaviour.
- 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.
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 Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.
For an informal discussion about this exciting role, please contact Lorna Waite - Fostering Service Manager. 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 - Fostering in Broadfield employer: The FCA
Contact Detail:
The FCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer - Fostering in Broadfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and childcare sectors. Attend local events or workshops to meet people who can help you get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Contact FCA directly through our website and express your interest in the Participation Officer role. Show us your enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching FCA’s values and mission. Think about how your experience aligns with our commitment to supporting children and families. We love candidates who share our passion!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer - Fostering in Broadfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in fostering or childcare. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with children and families shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share your motivation and why you want to join our family at FCA.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The FCA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering and the specific responsibilities of a Participation Officer. Familiarise yourself with FCA's values and how they support children and families. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and understand what it entails.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your professional childcare experience and any relevant qualifications. Think of specific examples where you've built strong relationships with children and adults, especially in challenging situations. This will help demonstrate your ability to handle the emotional demands of the job.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess how you'd handle real-life scenarios related to fostering. Practice responses to potential situations you might face, such as managing difficult behaviour or planning family events. This will help you articulate your problem-solving skills during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how FCA measures success in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
