Fostering Support Worker x2

8 Local Authorities have secured over £2.3million in Department for Education (DfE) funding to transform fostering recruitment and retention across Cheshire and Merseyside.

We hope that the funding will assist us to recruit and retain more foster carers and improve placement sufficiency across the region. Warrington will be leading on the project and working with seven other local authorities - Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, and St Helens to deliver the programme over two years.

Over £1million of the funding will go towards delivering a new, larger and improved Foster4 Recruitment Hub, which will launch in April 2024. The improved hub will help all councils in the consortium to deliver a more joined up approach to foster care recruitment and provide an offer that is attractive and supportive to prospective carers.

The remaining £1million funding will go towards the Mockingbird programme - which supports looked after children and their foster carers.

We are seeking enthusiastic and knowledgeable individuals to promote fostering and facilitate the recruitment of foster carers across our Foster4 collaboration.

As part of the role, you will:

Promote fostering for the Fostering Service via attendance at and delivery of a range of events and initiatives, at venues across Foster4.

Handle enquiries from prospective foster carers; providing a welcoming, warm and professional response, providing advice and information about the various aspects of fostering for each individual. This will include providing guidance regarding training, support, benefits, and allowances.

Build and maintain positive relationships with prospective and current foster carers, maintaining accurate recording and reporting systems.

Assist, develop and implement a range of retention initiatives, to ensure that current foster carers feel valued and involved.

Secondment opportunities will be considered if you already work for one of the Foster4 Local Authorities.

If you have experience in fostering or working with children, we would very much welcome an application.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.