We’re delighted to announce that the Together Trust has been included in this year’s Financial Time’s Best Employers list – one of only four in Stockport to do so!

Now in its second year, the FT’s Best Employers rankings are compiled in collaboration with global data firm Statista. The results are based on an independent survey of 20,000 people across the UK, with workers asked to share their views on their employers in key areas such as workplace culture, wellbeing and salary.

Across almost 50 services in the North West, our charity’s mission is to champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support.

Our amazing colleagues – many of whom have worked here for more than 20 years – work hard to foster an inclusive, supportive and inspiring environment whilst carrying out the incredible work they do for the people we support every day.

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We offer hybrid working which includes a blend of home and office working with a minimum of one day per week in our office.
 
Hours: 37.5 hours per week working flexibly between Monday – Sunday (Flexible working requests will be considered)
 
This role will involve some evening and weekend working. This would typically be between 5-8pm on an evening twice a week, and 3 hours on a weekend once a month. There may be occasions where it would be more hours on a weekend but this would be planned well in advance. Evening work and weekend work would mean this time would be taken back during the working week to allow flexibility for both the post holder and the agency.

As part of our continued growth as an agency and the on-going development of our services, we are expanding our Recruitment Team and would welcome applications from skilled professionals to support the agency in recruiting skilled and suitable foster carers by dealing with initial enquiries, liaising with potential foster carers, attending community based recruitment events, working closely with marketing colleagues, and engaging with current foster carers.

The successful applicant will have:

• Experience of a public facing engagement, recruitment or sales and marketing role
• Exceptional customer service and relationship management skills
• A confident and professional telephone manner
• Proven ability to communicate with a wide range of people and differing communities
• Excellent verbal communication skills and telephone manner
• Proven ability to write clear, concise reports and maintain written records
• Experience in the use of MS Office and database systems
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload and work to tight deadlines
• A can do attitude and a willingness to learn
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required

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As an Engagement and Activity Practitioner, you will be a part of our amazing team of professionals working with our organisational values at the heart of their everyday practice.

We are looking for someone with experience in running group and individual activities and who is willing to engage in physical activities with children and young people.  

This role requires the candidate to meet with children and young people in person across the East, West, North London, Essex (borders of London) & Hertfordshire (borders of London).; therefore, the use of a car suitable for transporting children is an essential requirement of the post, along with the ability to travel extensively within TACT and to other locations, working flexibly around hours and days, including weekends and occasional evenings .

The successful candidate will be required to attend regular monthly face-to-face meetings in London, as well as other face-to-face meetings such as training and team wellbeing events.

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We have a fantastic opportunity to join our team and a growing fostering service in our West Midlands region where you will be able to contribute to achieving positive results for young people. 

Key aspects of the Role:

• Supervision of support workers and social workers.
• Deputising where appropriate for the Fostering Manager.
• Responsibility for carer and staff learning and development, events and activities.

​Applicants should have:

• CQSW, DipSW, BA Social Work or equivalent professional qualification, and registration with Social Work England (SWE)
• Post-qualification experience of direct work with Looked After Children/ young people and their families.
• Significant experience of working in fostering or adoption, including direct experience of carrying out Form F assessments.
• Experience of supervising staff.
• Knowledge of relevant child care legislation.
• Knowledge of Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards.
• Flexibility to work occasionally at weekends and in the evening.
• Willingness to participate in the on call rota.
• Ability to travel independently to all areas required by job responsibilities.

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TACT is delighted to announce its first approved foster carer to come from its Step Forward project in Bury, marking a significant milestone for the charity.

Step Forward is a specialist fostering model designed for children and young people living in residential care who are ready to live in a family environment. Many of these children have experienced trauma and may need additional emotional or behavioural support. Step Forward carers are part of a professional team and are matched to each child to ensure their individual needs and personalities are fully understood and supported.

Caroline, our first approved carer to come from the project, will be a ‘hub carer’. A hub carer is retained full time to support up to six young people along with their step forward foster carers. They offer advice and support, and work closely as a part of the wider support team. Caroline is a registered Creative Arts Psychotherapist and has worked with children and young people previously using a trauma informed approach. Caroline, who has supported large organisations and charities to develop trauma informed practices, said: “The Step Forward model recognises that children with complex experiences need more than just a placement, they need a team around them and carers who are supported. It’s much more about providing safety and consistency over time and understanding that these children may hold a lot of trauma.

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We are now recruiting for Foster Carer Support Buddies to work with our Foster Carers and their families. This is a great opportunity for those studying within a social work or health related field who want to gain experience around their studies, or for those who have availability in the evenings/weekend or during the day to undertake the role duties.

The role is offered on self-employed or zero hours contract.

What are we looking for
This role will support our foster carers and children in a wide range of activities, which could include childminding, transporting children to school and activities, attending meetings, and taking young people for days out and other activities, in order to both work with and free up some time in a carer’s day. The post-holder may spend time with the young person on a regular or an occasional basis.

The role will involve
Supporting children with additional needs within their home
Assisting with meal times and personal care.
Supporting children to access activities
Accompanying them with their foster carer on days out
Post holders may be asked to sit with children in hospital during the day whilst carers attend meetings/ appointments
Supporting with care for children at the CFT office whilst carers attend training.

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Sector bodies give broad welcome to government drive to increase foster care place numbers by 10,000, but Article 39 and BASW sound warning over plans to cut "bureaucracy", including by reducing use of fostering panels.

The government's drive to cut "bureaucracy" in reforming England's fostering system has sparked concerns that the changes will weaken safeguards for children.

Both the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and children's rights charity Article 39 raised the issue, after the Department for Education (DfE) said it wanted to simplify rules around fostering as part of its plan to increase place numbers by 10,000 by 2029.

Article 39 particularly highlighted the DfE's proposal to remove fostering panels from the process of approving carers and carrying out their first review, warning that it risked weakening scrutiny of decisions.

The £88m action plan, which is designed to ensure many more children are looked after in foster families by reversing years of decline in the number of carers, was broadly welcomed by sector bodies.

However, sector charity The Fostering Network criticised the DfE's failure to pledge improved financial support for carers, while the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers urged greater involvement of independent fostering agencies (IFAs) in delivering on the government's ambitions.

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TACT South Coast are looking for a children’s resource worker to collaborate with them to support foster children and carers within Hampshire and Dorset. The ideal Children’s Resource Worker will already have some experience in engagement and participation with vulnerable children, young people, care experienced children or have similar experience in child-facing settings. 

Activities would include completing one-one work with children and young people, taking to activities, completing emotional literacy work. High level of flexibility required to cover weekends, evenings and bank holidays. Occasionally may be required to support with overnight residentials and night support within the foster home.

Car driver and owning a car is essential. There will be opportunities for training and development for this role, as new workers join us at our organisation wide journey to become a fully trauma-informed organisation.

The successful candidate will undertake essential  duties that will impact positively on the long-term outcomes for the young people and children in our care. This role is an essential part of the wider team, working in close partnership with parents, carers, young people, local authorities and their social workers. 

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As part of planned succession and our continued focus on strong, independent governance, we are seeking to appoint two Members to act as constitutional guardians of the organisation.

This is not a management or operational role.

Members provide strategic constitutional oversight — safeguarding the integrity, sustainability and long-term direction of the organisation. They step in where necessary to protect governance standards, uphold our Articles of Association and ensure accountability at the highest level.

It is an important but infrequent role, suited to individuals who value independence, integrity and principled leadership.

We would particularly welcome interest from individuals with experience in:

• Governance, regulation or constitutional oversight
• Children’s services, fostering and safeguarding
• Finance, audit, legal or risk environments
• Senior leadership in the public, voluntary or not-for-profit sectors
• Parliamentary engagement or understanding of government decision-making
• We are looking for people who bring sound judgement, independence of thought, and the confidence to act appropriately if serious governance concerns arise.

Commitment

• Approximately two formal meetings per year
• Preparation and review of governance documentation
• Availability if a significant governance issue arises

This is a remunerated role.

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