At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in foster care by organising activities and advocating for their needs.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a family-focused fostering agency dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, company car or allowance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and young people, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 23542 - 23542 £ per year.
Location: 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: £23,542.56 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.
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 Hope Valley employer: The FCA
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. With a supportive work culture that feels like family, FCA offers generous benefits including a company car or allowance, extensive annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth. Located in Sheffield, employees enjoy a collaborative environment where they can actively contribute to the well-being of children in care while also benefiting from flexible working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Hope Valley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering community, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching FCA and understanding their values. We should be ready to discuss how our experiences align with their mission to support children and families. Show them we're not just a good fit, but the perfect match!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend or family member and do some mock interviews. This will help us feel more confident and articulate when it’s our turn to shine in front of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing our enthusiasm for the role. Let’s remind them why we’re the best choice for the Participation Officer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering) in Hope Valley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with children and families. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at FCA, so don’t hold back on sharing relevant stories!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely excited about making a difference, so share why this role speaks to you!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate good communication skills, so make sure your application is easy to read and free from jargon. Remember, we want to get to know you quickly!
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 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 help you demonstrate your passion for the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work or volunteer experiences that highlight your ability to work with children and young people, especially those who have faced trauma. Be ready to discuss how you've advocated for their needs and ensured their voices are heard.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use your excellent communication skills to engage them in conversation. Show that you can relate to both children and adults, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Be prepared to discuss how you handle high-pressure situations, especially when dealing with difficult behaviours. Share strategies you've used in the past to remain calm and effective, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the emotionally demanding aspects of the job.
