Company Overview
Sure Start Fostering Agency is an independent fostering agency committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. We value compassion, dedication, and professionalism in our mission to provide safe and nurturing homes.
Job Title: Foster Carers' Support Specialist
Job Summary
We are seeking a dedicated, empathetic, and dynamic Foster Carer Support Specialist to join our team. This is a crucial, hands-on role designed to provide direct, practical support to foster parents, empowering them to deliver the best possible care for vulnerable children and young people.
Leveraging your previous experience in childcare or fostering services, you will offer on-the-ground assistance, guidance, and bite-sized training to foster carers, enhancing their ability to meet the daily therapeutic and practical needs of the children in their care. This role focuses on proactive and responsive support, deployed flexibly to address specific challenges, enhance carer skills, and provide enriching experiences for looked-after children.
Key Responsibilities
Direct Support to Foster Parents
- Provide hands-on, practical support to foster parents within their day-to-day routines.
- Accompany foster parents and children to essential appointments (medical, dental, educational, etc.) as required.
- Assist with transportation, acting as an escort and providing logistical support for activities and events.
- Offer practical assistance with household tasks or childcare during periods of high stress or increased need.
- Provide active support to families during contact visits.
- Act as a reliable, responsive resource for foster parents facing immediate challenges, including responding on-site to emergency situations when required.
- Assist foster parents with the administration of essential services, including registering children with GPs, dentists, opticians, and schools.
- Help carers navigate and complete nursery, school, and college applications.
- Guide foster parents in identifying local community resources, such as after-school clubs, soft play areas, library registrations, and holiday activities.
Engagement of Foster Children
- Plan and facilitate healthy, engaging activities for foster children to promote their well-being, social skills, and personal development.
- Support children in accessing community resources and participating in recreational activities.
- Provide tailored, 1-to-1 support to foster children experiencing heightened behavioral or emotional needs.
Training and Skill Development
- Deliver targeted, "bite-size" training sessions to foster parents on specific areas of need, including behaviour management, attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and child development.
- Assist Managers and Supervising Social Workers (SSWs) in developing and delivering workshops and comprehensive training materials.
Assessment, Reporting & Liaison
- Observe and assess the strengths and evolving needs of foster families during support visits.
- Maintain accurate, highly detailed case records of all interactions, support provided, and training delivered.
- Provide regular, constructive feedback to Managers and Supervising Social Workers on the progress and challenges within foster households.
- Contribute effectively to the review of family support plans and Foster Carer Personal Development Plans (PDPs).
- Act as a vital liaison between foster parents, SSWs, and other multi-agency professionals involved in the child’s care.
Flexibility, Compliance & Safeguarding
- Respond flexibly to the changing needs of foster families and the agency.
- Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support families or assist during Mock or Ofsted Inspections.
- Adhere strictly to all safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures, reporting any concerns immediately to managers, SSWs, or the designated safeguarding lead.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and manage all data in line with current GDPR guidelines.
Qualifications and Experience
Required:
- Previous professional experience working with vulnerable children and young people, ideally within a fostering service or similar social care setting.
- A proven track record of building effective, supportive relationships with both foster parents and children.
- Strong foundational understanding of child development, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care.
- Demonstrated experience engaging children in healthy, constructive, and developmental activities.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable (Preferred but not essential):
- A relevant Social Work, Youth Work, or Childcare qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 3/4 in Children and Young People).
- Demonstrated experience in creating and delivering training sessions or workshops.
- A valid UK driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle for work purposes.
Personal Attributes
- Empathy & Patience: A deep, genuine commitment to supporting foster families and improving outcomes for looked-after children.
- Relationship Builder: The ability to establish quick, positive, and trusting relationships with both adults and children.
- Resilience: The capacity to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused when managing challenging behaviour or crisis situations.
- Proactive Nature: A self-starter who naturally takes initiative to identify problems and solve them practically
Pay: £12.21-£23.24 per hour
Work Location: In person
