Out Of Hours Support & Advice Co-Ordinator (Fostering)

FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA)

Out Of Hours Support & Advice Co-Ordinator (Fostering) - Permanent

Salary: Up to £28,000 Per Annum Dependent Upon Experience

Shift Pattern: Evenings 5pm to 11pm and Weekends 9am to 11pm on a rotating shift pattern. Working Bank holidays and Christmas holidays on a rota basis is essential for this role

Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 day's with length of service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan

Office Location: Home Based

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.

The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that's still where our Head Office is today.

We've come a long way since those early days and, over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence, and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same; 'to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities', and it's underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential.

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.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Supporting and advising our Foster Parents when incidents arise that cause concern and to ensure the correct procedures are followed and safeguarding is paramount.
• Be conversant with the wider support systems available within the wider Community and sign post accordingly
• Assist Polaris' companies with their duties by noting and reporting as appropriate
• Take full details of placement requirements from External Customers such as Local Authorities, Trusts and forward the details to the appropriate social worker
• Respond promptly and appropriately to all enquiries whilst on the Out of Hours service rota
• Accurate prioritisation and referral of enquiries to Qualified Social Worker Staff
• Support the on-call Social Worker with their duties
• Provision of excellent and prompt customer service to internal and external customers
• Be guided and led by the OOH Team Manager and when required attend regional Foster Carer Support Group Meetings
• To record all information received and any actions taken using the Charms system, ensuring that all updates/progress items are clearly indicated as occurring.
• Ensure all safeguarding matters are referred promptly to the OOH Qualified Social Worker
• Complete and follow through paperwork recordings and procedures in relation to Critical Incidents and Notifiable Events.

YOU MUST HAVE:

• Experience in a social care role, ideally in a children's/young people's residential type setting;
• Experience of working with Foster Parents and / or families and children / young people
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures
• The ability to produce a high standard of report writing

For more information about this exciting new opportunity, please contact Dionne Treasure - Team Manager on 07587 669506.

To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch.

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.