Referrals Officer

FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA)

REFERRALS OFFICER – Full time – 12 months Fixed Term Contract -FOSTERING

Location: Home working with a requirement to attend office in London as required

Salary: £22,630.06 per annum

Benefits: 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

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 is still where our Head Office is today.

We have come a long way since those early days. 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 is underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential.

Today, we are one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. Just because we are large, does not mean we are impersonal. At FCA we are one big family, and we are committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.

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 have the ability to work independently and able to use your initiative 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 be able develop positive relationships with colleagues and be confident communicating with professionals at all levels. It would be beneficial to have experience of working within the children's services sector or similar and be able to evidence your administration skills, ability to follow regulatory policies and processes and the ability to work well within a fast paced team. Full training will be provided.

We are 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 carers, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.

Roles & Responsibilities

· Actively promote foster parent vacancies by communicating with Local Authorities via telephone and email

· Build and maintain a strong working relationship with Local Authorities

· Ensure systems are always up to date and relevant

· Work to tight deadlines

· Use Company Performance to ensure foster parents are supported with their vacancies and to help growth within the company

· Complete Foster Parent Pay – Full training provided

· Liaise with the Referral Hub to offer cover and support where needed

· Ensure line Manager is kept up to date on Referrals, matching and any issues in relation to vacancies

· Attend regular [i] meetings and assist with minuting

For more information about this post please contact Tracey Harris, 07970081483

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.