At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the recruitment of foster carers and support them through their journey.
- Company: Fostering South West, a collaborative regional partnership focused on fostering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity with career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join us to help children find safe, loving homes and drive positive change.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 38510 - 40444 £ per year.
Salary: £38,510 - £40,444 per annum
Hours per week: 37
Fixed Term: To 31 March 2027
Interview Date: Friday 25 and Monday 28 September 2026
Are you passionate about making a difference for children and families? Do you have the skills to guide people through an important life-changing journey? Fostering South West is seeking 6 Senior Fostering Recruitment Officers to play a pivotal role in recruiting and supporting foster carers across the region, helping to ensure more children have access to safe, stable and nurturing homes.
Fostering South West is a Department for Education-funded regional partnership that supports fostering recruitment and retention across 15 local authorities in the South West. Through targeted marketing, early support for prospective foster carers, and a shared regional approach, the Hub works to increase the number, quality and diversity of fostering placements, helping to ensure more children can grow up in safe, stable and loving homes.
As a key member of the Regional Fostering Recruitment and Retention Hub, you will oversee the end-to-end foster carer recruitment journey, acting as a trusted point of contact for prospective carers from initial enquiry through to approval. You will undertake home visits, deliver Skills to Foster training, coordinate applications, and provide expert guidance and support throughout the process. Working closely with local authority partners, Recruitment Support Workers, Assessing Social Workers and fostering teams, you will ensure applicants receive a positive, timely and supportive experience.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent communication, relationship-building and organisational skills who is passionate about improving recruitment outcomes. You will use performance data and insight to identify opportunities for improvement, enhance recruitment processes and contribute to wider service development. If you enjoy supporting people, driving positive change and helping shape the future of fostering across the South West, we would love to hear from you.
Contact details: Ian Jarman, Team Manager, ian.jarman@wiltshire.gov.uk
Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.
Application criteria: Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply.
We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.
Eligibility Statement: This opportunity is open exclusively to employees of the End-to-End Frontrunner Local Authorities that form part of the Fostering South West partnership. Please note that applicants who are not currently employed by one of the above Local Authorities will not be eligible for consideration for this role. This vacancy is being advertised as a partnership opportunity for Fostering South West End-to-End Frontrunner member authorities.
Senior Recruitment Officer- Regional Fostering Hub in Trowbridge employer: Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council is an excellent employer for aspiring lifeguards, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises safety and community engagement. With opportunities for career growth through NPLQ training and a commitment to employee development, you will find a rewarding role that not only enhances your skills but also allows you to make a positive impact in the lives of pool members. Join us in a vibrant location where teamwork and public service are at the heart of what we do.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Recruitment Officer- Regional Fostering Hub in Trowbridge
✨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 Wiltshire.
✨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 Wiltshire!
✨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 Wiltshire, 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 Wiltshire 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 Senior Recruitment Officer- Regional Fostering Hub in Trowbridge
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 Wiltshire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wiltshire! 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 Wiltshire
✨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.
