At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage referrals and match placements to support children and families.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a leading fostering agency with a friendly team.
- Benefits: 30-35 days annual leave, pension, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working, team-building activities, and a strong focus on staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Good communication and organisational skills; experience in children's services is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 23535 - 23535 € per year.
This is an amazing opportunity to join Foster Care Associates. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Full Time Referrals Officer to join our inspirational and friendly team to develop and promote the fostering services in Cymru South. Our office is based in Bridgend and we support the hybrid model of working with lots of flexibility to work from home.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
- Starting at 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service + bank holidays
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance x2
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
- Free Parking
We are committed to the wellbeing of our staff. The aim of our Staff Wellbeing Strategy is to increase all our employees' well-being, self-esteem, and sense of belonging to a team and create new environments for them to spend productive time together. This includes walk and talks at the beach or in parks, weekly wellbeing hour, park runs, mindfulness sessions, sea dipping, yoga sessions, raft racing and charity events to name a few. Our office environment is friendly and inviting with tea, coffee, breakfast and lunch items always available for our staff to contribute towards their wellbeing. All this combined with an exceptionally generous annual leave scheme ensures that there are sufficient opportunities for that essential down time.
As part of the FCA Cymru team we welcome all members of our staffs' families to be involved in all our activities that we provide to our fostering families. These have in the past included Alton Towers, West Midlands Safari Park, horse riding, skating trips and lots more to choose from. Within FCA we also take the opportunity for team-building days away when all staff have the opportunity to come together from across Cymru and strengthen our staff collaborations. Staff appreciation day is also celebrated yearly across FCA.
Robust induction, supportive management team, monthly reflective supervision with line manager and regular learning and reflective opportunities with a highly welcoming and close-knit team will ensure that you feel fully supported at all times.
Additional Benefits
- Refer a friend scheme with a monetary incentive
- Opportunity to undertake additional recruitment events for additional payments
- An exceptional platform available for online and face-to-face training opportunities
- Inclusion to a comprehensive rewards package including access to discounts to hundreds of major retailers
- Opportunity to join, at a highly reduced rate, our foster talk scheme with all the legal and financial advice this provides as well as additional discounts to various schemes and retailers
- Competitive mileage allowance
What We Are Looking For
As a Referrals Officer, you will manage referrals received from local authorities and use key information and matching criteria to ensure that placements are carefully matched according to children's needs. You will be required to use your initiative and be able to work independently when required to find creative solutions to foster placement requests.
The Referrals Officer role is the first point of contact between local authorities, foster families and social workers. You will need to possess good communication skills and be able to develop positive relationships with colleagues within and outside of the agency, both via written and face-to-face communication. Previous experience of working in a children's services sector may be an advantage though not essential. Excellent organisational and administrative skills are key, together with a passion and motivation to make a difference to the lives of children and their families. We provide an excellent induction into the role and full training and support will be provided.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is friendly, has a big personality, good communication and administrative skills and is seeking a role within a team to make a difference to the lives of children and families. We pride ourselves on the supportive team ethos we have within Cymru as a whole and you would be dealing with families across the whole of the country with the opportunity to visit our office in Abergele to meet with colleagues on occasion should you wish.
For more information about this post please contact Fiona Hatton, Referrals Manager, on 07813 054956 / 01745 778610.
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 an enhanced DBS check if successful for the position.
Referrals Officer in Maesteg employer: The FCA
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an exceptional employer dedicated to the well-being and professional growth of its staff. With a supportive work culture in Bridgend, employees enjoy generous annual leave, a comprehensive benefits package, and unique team-building activities that foster a sense of community. The role of Referrals Officer offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families while being part of a close-knit, motivated team committed to excellence in fostering services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referrals Officer in Maesteg
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and social services sector. Attend local events or online webinars to meet people who can give you insights or even refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Contact Foster Care Associates directly through our website, express your interest, and ask about potential openings. Sometimes, the best opportunities aren’t advertised!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone from FCA, share why you’re excited about making a difference in children’s lives. Your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching FCA’s values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to show how your skills and experiences align with our mission. We love seeing candidates who resonate with our goals!
We think you need these skills to ace Referrals Officer in Maesteg
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Refer to the job description and align your background with what we’re looking for in a Referrals Officer.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and keep your application focused. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
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 this fantastic opportunity with FCA.
How to prepare for a job interview at The FCA
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Foster Care Associates' mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to fostering and the specific role of a Referrals Officer. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in making a positive impact on children's lives.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Referrals Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built relationships or resolved conflicts. This will highlight your ability to connect with local authorities, foster families, and social workers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and initiative. Think of scenarios where you had to find creative solutions under pressure. Practising these responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
✨Emphasise Team Spirit
Foster Care Associates values a supportive team environment. Share examples of how you've contributed to team success in previous roles. Highlight your enthusiasm for collaboration and how you can bring a positive attitude to their friendly team.
