Fostering Support Worker – Part Time

Five Rivers Child Care Ltd; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Car allowance £4,500

Investors in People accreditation

Training and development

Medical cash plan

Blue Light Card

Employee support programmes

Pension scheme 4% employer

Refer-a-friend bonus

Long-service recognition

Progression opportunities

Job summary

Five Rivers Child Care Ltd is seeking a compassionate Fostering Support Worker to support children, young people and foster families. You will work from home primarily, building strong relationships with carers and professionals and promoting children's voices in all activities.

With experience in fostering or social care desirable, no formal social work qualification is required and training is provided. A valid UK driving licence and car access are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills and confidence maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to build relationships with children, young people, foster carers, colleagues and external professionals.
• Strong listening, organisation and teamwork skills.
• Valid UK driving licence and access to a car.
• Right to work in the UK and safeguarding commitment.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, professional relationships with children, young people and foster carers.
• Plan and deliver purposeful individual and group activities.
• Organise participation events and promote the voice of children and young people.
• Provide practical and emotional support to fostering families.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, colleagues and external professionals.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to high-quality outcomes.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Relationship building

Listening

Organization

Teamwork

Driving licence

Job description

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people? Five Rivers Child Care is looking for a compassionate and organised Fostering Support Worker to join our experienced fostering team. You will work closely with children and young people, foster carers and professionals, helping families feel supported and ensuring children’s voices remain at the heart of our service.

Key responsibilities

• Build positive, professional relationships with children, young people and foster carers
• Plan and deliver purposeful individual and group activities
• Organise participation events and promote the voice of children and young people
• Provide practical and emotional support to fostering families
• Work collaboratively with social workers, colleagues and external professionals
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to high-quality outcomes

You will also help our fostering service grow by developing relationships within local communities and supporting the planning and delivery of foster carer recruitment events.

About you

You will be child-focused, approachable and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. You will communicate confidently and sensitively, work effectively within a team and manage a varied workload. Experience in fostering, social care, family support, youth work or working with children and young people is desirable, but not essential. No formal social work qualification is required, and training will be provided.

Travel and flexibility

A valid UK driving licence and access to a car are essential. This role will be primarily homebased and covers East Hants and Sussex, although travel to other areas may be required. Some work may take place outside standard office hours or at weekends.

Working hours

This is a part-time position working 30 hours per week. The working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate to meet the needs of the service.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, pro rata
• £4,500 car allowance in addition to salary
• Platinum Investors in People accreditation
• Ongoing training, learning and career development
• Simplyhealth medical cash plan
• Blue Light Card
• Employee support programmes
• Enhanced company pension scheme with a 4% employer contribution
• Refer-a-friend bonus scheme
• Long-service and recognition scheme
• Opportunities for progression

Essential skills and requirements

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good IT skills and confidence maintaining accurate records
• Ability to build relationships with children, young people, foster carers, colleagues and external professionals
• Strong listening, organisation and teamwork skills
• Valid UK driving licence and access to a car
• Right to work in the UK
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion

Desirable experience

• Experience in fostering, social care, family support, youth work or a similar environment
• Experience of therapeutic direct work with children, young people or carers

Interested?

If you want to make a meaningful difference to children, young people and fostering families, we would love to hear from you. For more information, contact our recruitment team at [e-mail] or call 01722 435750 and select option 2.

Five Rivers Child Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment checks, including employment references and a DBS check.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.