Fostering Co-Production Officer

Barnsley Council; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee rewards and benefits

Job summary

Barnsley Council is seeking a Co-Production Officer – Fostering Service to help attract more foster carers and strengthen Barnsley's fostering community. You will work with foster carers, care experienced children and young people, and local partners to develop innovative recruitment approaches that connect with the right people.

You’ll use insight, creativity and strong relationships to create compelling campaigns, build community networks and drive to increase the number and diversity of

Qualifications

• Experience of developing and delivering successful engagement, recruitment or campaign activity.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to identify opportunities and develop effective approaches to reach new audiences.
• Experience of using insight and data to improve performance.
• Strong digital and social media skills.
• A proactive and innovative approach to problem solving.
• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a targeted fostering engagement and recruitment approach.
• Build and support a network of foster carer ambassadors.
• Work with foster carers and care experienced children and young people to develop authentic stories, content and campaigns.
• Identify new audiences and opportunities to attract prospective foster carers.
• Develop strong relationships with employers, community organisations, faith groups and local networks.
• Lead community engagement activity, events and information sessions.
• Manage and develop the fostering service's social media and digital presence.
• Use insight, feedback and performance data to continuously improve outcomes.
• Support the service's ambition to increase the number and diversity of foster carers for Barnsley children.

Skills

Engagement campaigns

Communication & influencing

Relationship building

Digital & social media skills

Data-driven decision making

Strategic thinking

Campaign planning

Tools

Social media management tools

Job description

50146910

Directorate: Children’s Services | Service: Quality Assurance & Service Improvement

Position reference: 50146910

Salary: £36,581 - £39,481

Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch.

See our range of Employee Rewards: Employee rewards and benefits

Closing date: 11/09/2026 at 23:59

The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard.

This post requires a Basic Criminal Record Check.

Prospective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad.

When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.

Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.

We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.

There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent fostering service as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

• We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
• Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
• If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
• We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
• There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
• Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.

About The Post

Co-Production Officer – Fostering Service

Help us grow Barnsley's fostering community

Barnsley needs more foster carers to provide safe, stable and loving homes for local children and young people.

We're looking for an ambitious, creative and influential individual to help us attract more people to become foster carers and strengthen Barnsley's fostering community.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new role within Children’s Services. You'll work with foster carers, care experienced children and young people, local communities and partners to develop innovative approaches that connect with the right people, challenge perceptions and encourage more individuals to take the steps needed to become foster carers.

You’ll be someone who understands people; what motivates them, what influences decisions and how to create meaningful opportunities for action. You'll use insight, creativity and strong relationships to develop compelling recruitment approaches, build community networks and help more people see fostering as a valuable and rewarding role.

You Will

About the role

• Develop and deliver a targeted fostering engagement and recruitment approach.
• Build and support a network of foster carer ambassadors.
• Work with foster carers and care experienced children and young people to develop authentic stories, content and campaigns.
• Identify new audiences and opportunities to attract prospective foster carers.
• Develop strong relationships with employers, community organisations, faith groups and local networks.
• Lead community engagement activity, events and information sessions.
• Manage and develop the fostering service's social media and digital presence.
• Use insight, feedback and performance data to continuously improve outcomes.
• Support the service's ambition to increase the number and diversity of foster carers for Barnsley children.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with creativity and a strong focus on outcomes.

You may have experience in engagement, recruitment, communications, campaigning, business development, fundraising or audience development. Most importantly, you'll know how to engage people, build relationships and turn ideas into results.

You’ll Bring

• Experience of developing and delivering successful engagement, recruitment or campaign activity.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to identify opportunities and develop effective approaches to reach new audiences.
• Experience of using insight and data to improve performance.
• Strong digital and social media skills.
• A proactive and innovative approach to problem solving.
• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of fostering in Barnsley. You'll have the freedom to develop new ideas, build meaningful partnerships and play a key role in helping more local people choose to become foster carers.

If you're someone who spots opportunities, builds connections and knows how to turn interest into action, we'd love to hear from you.

Why work for us?

We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.

We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.

CV's are not accepted for this role.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate.

Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances

www.barnsley.gov.uk/jobs