Senior Participation Officer (Children & Families - Fostering)

Location: The Regional Office is in Sheffield and the successful candidate will be based here. 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: £28,500

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:

• We are seeking someone who is passionate about working with children and young people and supporting them to make a difference in their community.
• This is an exciting opportunity that involves leading a dynamic team to deliver a service to children and families that puts young people at the forefront.
• To lead and manage a team in establishing strong consultation systems with foster children, foster carers and their birth children, through a programme of activities, events, and other creative mechanisms - ensuring their voices are heard, actions implemented and outcomes monitored through the Regional Service Improvement plan.
• To work with the Registered Manager and regional management team in developing the agency's Participation Strategy.
• To supervise two members of staff.
• To lead on groups, events and activities specifically for children and young people.
• Take an active and professional role in the continuing development of the Participation Service.
• To represent the region in relation to Participation within the Polaris community and with external stakeholders.
• Arranging activities and workshops for children in our care and children who foster.
• Forge close and productive working relationships with 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.
• Complete reports and 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 experience of working with children and young people, supporting and advocating to ensure their voices are heard.
• Experience of fostering is not essential, however, 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.
• You will be expected to demonstrate passion and aspiration for our children and young people to help them reach their full potential.
• You will have some previous experience of leading a team or projects to ensure the service is delivered.
• 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 be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, with an ability to communicate with and present to children and adults and build strong connections.
• You will need to demonstrate an ability to remain calm when under high levels of pressure, emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with difficult or confrontational behaviour.
• You will be expected to possess good written skills and IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and databases.
• You will need to have a full driving licence and unrestricted access to a vehicle.
• You will 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.