 Michael remembers coming home from school one day and being told to say goodbye to his mother. He was eight years old. Now 15 and living with a foster family, he says he can look to the future. The BBC spoke to him, his foster parent and the woman who helped bring them together. "I didn't want anyone special," says Michael. "I just wanted someone normal; I wanted some normality in my life. "It's what most children want." Michael is describing what it was like waiting to find the foster carers who would love him as their own. "I was given this piece of paper and a picture of a little person, and you write in all you want to see in the ideal parent. "I put 'no football', because I hate sports. "It was the little things, and they matched us up."  'Dropping cups of tea'
With help from the charity Break, Michael found what he needed in Clive - a man who never dreamed he would have the chance to bring up a child - and his husband, at their home in Norfolk. Looking back on their first days together six years ago, Michael recalls being anxious, but they soon found their rhythm. "It didn't take long because they are really nice people," he adds. What had been a difficult childhood has turned into something "really positive" with his foster carers. "I'm happier," he reflects. "When I moved in with Clive I was all hasty, I kept dropping my cups of tea because I was really nervous. "With any foster child you are going to get all those kinks. If you give it time the things that have stopped them living normally will fade away. "When you foster a child, it's going to be difficult at first but when you get to know each other you will be like a normal family." 'I always wanted a family' Just as Michael needed the security of normality, so Clive longed for a life that seemed out of reach. "I always wanted to be part of a family and nurture children and I never thought I could do that, as a gay man," he says. "But things change and society changed. "My husband and I considered it - we have a a room and love to give, so we thought 'yeah, why not?'." The process included nine months of weekly meetings with Break, during which "they deduced who we are, and what we like", he says. "It's people lives. It shouldn't be rushed; it's really important to get that right." And then - a match. "I do remember feeling nervous and all butterflies and 'oh gosh this is it'," he recalls. "You don't just get a child presented at the door. "We met Michael a few times, we went out for a day trip together, he gets to know us and we get to know him, so it's not such a shock." As with Michael, Clive had the jitters when they started living together. "I particularly remember the first night, I was really anxious," he says. "We were going 'is he sleeping, does he want food, does he want this, does he want that,' but not trying to overwhelm him because he was anxious himself. "It was really important to keep really calm and very supportive towards him. "It all settled in really nicely and he clicked." 'Huge learning curve' Did they worry about taking on a stranger's troubled background and reconcile that with the hope of all the rewards that come with the child flourishing in their care? "For us it isn't about the rewards - it's about providing that opportunity for someone, regardless of what they bring to the door," says Clive. "We hope we have helped provide that support so Michael feels he can explore the world. "You have to be patient, children in foster care will have been through a difficult time. "That can be tricky and can be emotionally difficult but it's about being there and standing by their side. "It was a huge learning curve but I think we learned quite fast - we had to." Clive say it is "lovely" to now reminisce about Michael's growing up. "I probably wouldn't have imagined that he would sit his GCSEs and go to school as much as he has but he has really pushed himself forward and dedicated himself to learning," he says. "I'm really proud of him. "Michael wants to go to college, he has ambitions and dreams, which is great to see and we are really supportive of that, but if that doesn't happen it doesn't matter, there will always be something else. "We are here for the long term for him." What would he say to anyone considering becoming a foster carer? "Just do it. "If you take pleasure in seeing people grow, become adults and learn, then just do it." Finding the right fit One of those who helped create this bond was Natasha Freeman, who manages Break's independent fostering agency across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It has a team of social workers that supports fostering families and a therapeutic practitioner to help with any issues that may arise. It prides itself on taking matching "really seriously" so children who have had multiple foster placements will stay with one family with the charity's support. "Children we look after have had a really difficult start in life and some of their behaviour may be challenging. "But what we know is that when we place a child in to a family with Break they stay there until 18 and into adulthood in some cases and they become a part of that family. "That's because we are here to listen when times are hard and respond to their needs when they arise. "We look at the whole family, the biological children and fostered children, and the carers' skills set, and we look at the children as they come through. "Finding the right child to fit into the family is critical to us knowing when they move there they stay there for ever." The "huge benefits" to fostering are many, including for the foster parents' biological children, she says. "You are nurturing a child who needs it more than ever - to know that they can love, and can be loved and can trust an adult again. "It means they can grow into their dreams, whatever they may be." Back at home, Michael is passionate about art and is keen to see where it may take him. "It is how I see the world and I can portray it, get it out there and put my thoughts on canvas," he says. "It's how I express myself." And as he approaches adulthood and independence, he knows his foster carers have his back, wherever life takes him. "I am hopeful," he says. "I see the future is bright because I am able to express myself easily because they [his foster carers] have let me, which I may not have been able to feel before. "I see myself, in the futurbreak-charity.org/charity/e, living happily." Debbie Tubby BBC News, Norfolk Laura Devlin BBC News, Norfolk Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/  Location: HQ in Norwich Salary: £60,672 - £69,051 per annum (including performance related pay) Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time Closing Date: 21/06/2024 23:59 Location - Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire – HQ in Norwich
This is an exciting and rare opportunity to play the key role in leading the care division of a forward thinking, successful charitable organisation on the frontline of systemic change in children’s social care. As part of the executive team, you will influence the direction of the charity, driving the improvement and expansion of our services through inspirational strategic vision and leadership. This is a great time to join our team as
If you are an outstanding candidate who can evidence impact and are ready to progress your career and take our care services to the next level, then please apply, we want to hear from you! About Break Break is a forward-thinking non-profit organisation that’s delivered unique support for young people across East Anglia for over fifty years. Co-production with staff, young people and families is at the very heart of everything we do. We have a range of residential services, a fostering agency, leaving care service - Staying Close Staying Connected and services for disabled children and their families. As a trauma-informed organisation, all our young people and employees are supported by our highly skilled therapeutic team - and our lifelong offer means that even when young people leave our care, we will always be there for them. At Break, we believe that if it is not good enough for our own children – it is not good enough for anyone in the Break family – and we strive to ensure they get the best. Further details and application documents here  Location: Cambridge and Peterborough Salary: £24,786 per annum Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time Closing Date: 31/05/2024 23:59 About Break
Nobody chooses the family or circumstances they are born into. At Break we firmly believe that with the right care, there is no limit to what can be achieved. We work across East Anglia with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether you’re interested in working in our residential homes and short breaks for children with disabilities, our pioneering Staying Close Staying Connected project or vital essentials like our family assessment centre and wraparound care offer, one thing is universal: you’ll be joining a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who want the very best for the young people they care for. Why Break? At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work. This role will work in our Staying Close Staying Connected project, Staying Close Staying Connected, one of eight pilot models for leaving care being funded by the Department of Education. For children in care, turning 18 can mean finding themselves on a cliff-edge of support. This service is truly leading the way nationally in terms of leaving care provision. About the role As a Break Transition Worker, you’ll be working closely with young people who have recently left their children’s residential care home and are taking their first steps into independence. Success in this role will very much hinge on the strong, trusting relationship you’ll build with the group of young people you’re working with. You’ll make regular visits to their home and support them to increase their independent living skills. Whether that means teaching them one of your signature dishes (talk to Transition Worker Matt in Cambridgeshire for his Weetabix burger recipe), helping them to pay bills, applying for benefits or filling in a job application the role you will play in young people’s lives will be fundamental in supporting mental health, wellbeing and their future. You will help them break down the barriers they might feel as a young person leaving care and be the best possible version of themselves as they enter independence. You’ll work flexibly and have a can do attitude, be able to adapt your approach to suit the individuals or professionals you’re working with. You are calm under pressure and resilient enough to cope with challenging emotions and behaviours. Our houses are in Cambridge, Peterborough and Wisbech; you have access to a car for visiting our young people and are comfortable with lone working. Further details and application documents here  Location: Cambridge and Peterborough Salary: £12,451 per annum Contract Type: Permanent / Part Time Hours - 20 hours per week Closing Date: 12 April 2024 About Break
Nobody chooses the family or circumstances they are born into. At Break we firmly believe that with the right care, there is no limit to what can be achieved. We work across East Anglia with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether you’re interested in working in our residential homes and short breaks for children with disabilities, our pioneering Staying Close Staying Connected project or vital essentials like our family assessment centre and wraparound care offer, one thing is universal: you’ll be joining a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who want the very best for the young people they care for. Learn more about Break Why Break? At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work. This role will work in our Staying Close Staying Connected project, Staying Close Staying Connected, one of eight pilot models for leaving care being funded by the Department of Education. For children in care, turning 18 can mean finding themselves on a cliff-edge of support. This service is truly leading the way nationally in terms of leaving care provision. About the role: As a Break Transition Worker, you’ll be working closely with young people who have recently left their children’s residential care home and are taking their first steps into independence. Success in this role will very much hinge on the strong, trusting relationship you’ll build with the group of young people you’re working with. You’ll make regular visits to their home and support them to increase their independent living skills. Whether that means teaching them one of your signature dishes (talk to Transition Worker Matt in Cambridgeshire for his Weetabix burger recipe), helping them to pay bills, applying for benefits or filling in a job application the role you will play in young people’s lives will be fundamental in supporting mental health, wellbeing and their future. You will help them break down the barriers they might feel as a young person leaving care, and be the best possible version of themselves as they enter independence. You’ll work flexibly and have a can do attitude, be able to adapt your working to suit the individuals or professionals you’re working with, be calm under pressure and be resilient enough to cope with challenging emotions and behaviours. Further details and application documents here  Could you help steer and govern a leading, high profile and dynamic East Anglian charity to new heights?
Are you committed to improving young lives? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join our organisation as a Trustee (voluntary position). We are particularly seeking to recruit to the Board applicants with expertise in one of the following:
What we are looking for: We are seeking to recruit three trustees with different areas of expertise who are committed to helping us to deliver our vision and mission. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our Board and making sure we best reflect the young people and families we serve. For this reason, we would particularly welcome applications from:
This is an opportunity to join an experienced and dedicated Trustee Board, working alongside a professional and skilled Senior Management Team that lead an agile and highly qualified workforce, to give the very best care to each young person in our services. As a Break trustee you will:
About Break Break is a forward-thinking non-profit organisation that’s delivered unique support for young people across East Anglia for over fifty years. Co-production with staff, young people and families is at the very heart of everything we do. We have a range of residential services, a family assessment centre, a fostering agency, Staying Close, Staying Connected and services for disabled children and their families. As a trauma-informed organisation, all our young people and employees are supported by our highly skilled therapeutic team - and our lifelong offer means that even when young people leave our care, we will always be there for them. With low staff turnover and vacancy rates, we have over 90% good and outstanding gradings across our services and deliver great outcomes for our young people. Our ambition is to grow and build even further - creating an environment where people can develop their talent and see the difference they make. Break employs around 450 staff and 900 volunteers, the majority of the latter in its shops. The staff are located primarily in Norfolk, with the main administrative offices in Norwich. Break is Investors in People gold accredited and has featured in the Times Best Companies list. Break has an exceptional training provision for internal and external customers that has a reputation for being interactive, innovative and of high quality and is leading the social pedagogy agenda within the region. You could be part of making amazing things happen. Change the Lives of Young People Leaving Care with Break - YouTube Please include a covering letter stating why you would like to a Trustee for Break with your application. If you are interested and would like an informal chat with our Chair, in the first instance, please contact Charlotte Johnston ([email protected]) who will arrange a discussion with the Chair. Full details and application documents here  Location: East Anglia Salary: £26,769 - £28,033, per annum, depending on qualifications and experience Contract Type: Permanent / Part Time Closing Date: 26/02/2024 23:59 Be part of something amazing by helping care leavers to change their lives.
The Emotional Wellbeing Service, part of Break Therapeutic Service (BTS) is an innovative service that recognises the unique challenges that young care leavers face. We know that mental health support needs to be tailored to meet young people where they are in every sense. A part time (0.8FTE) Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner position is now available to work alongside 16-25 year old care leavers across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to make sense of their past and move on from their emotional challenges. The successful candidate would also be a part of facilitating reflective sessions for staff members and contribute to the delivery of training. BTS recognises that supervision is key in ensuring effective, safe practice. Monthly external supervision is funded and we are developing our peer supervision structures. Regular opportunities for ongoing Continual Professional Development are provided. The office base is in Norwich but there is flexibility around remote working. Applications would be welcome from practitioners with a therapeutic training(s) and/or significant experience working with care experienced young people. If you are able to work independently, and you feel passionate that young care leavers getting the support they need, when and how they need it then we would love to hear from you. The service covers Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and north Suffolk, so you will be required to travel. Consideration will be given to your home location. Your supporting statement should evidence how you meet the person specification and why you will be a good candidate. Essential Information: Salary: The current salary scale for this post is £26,769 - £28,033, per annum. At appointment, the salary will be between £26,769 and £28,033, per annum, depending on qualifications and experience. Hours: 30 hours per week Interviews for this position will take place on Monday 4th March What can we offer? We are proud of the fact that we are a supportive employer who rewards you for your hard work and involvement in our life-changing charity. There are multiple benefits of this role, such as:
Full details regarding the role can be found under the documents sections on the recruitment page. The first interview will be a Safe Care/ Warner style interview. If successful after the first interview, candidates will then be expected to attend a formal interview. For more information on this job opportunity, please contact the Recruitment Team via our website. To comply with the Immigration Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 and additional amendments, and UK Visa's and Immigration (UKVI) requirements, all prospective employees will be asked to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. We will ask to see and take a copy of an appropriate official document as set out in the UKVI guidelines. Do not send anything now, further information will be sent to you should you be invited to interview. We are committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Full details and application documents here  Location: Cambridge and Peterborough Salary: £12,451 per annum Contract Type: Permanent / Part Time Hours - 20 hours per week Closing Date: 23/02/2024 About Break:
Nobody chooses the family or circumstances they are born into. At Break we firmly believe that with the right care, there is no limit to what can be achieved. We work across East Anglia with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether you’re interested in working in our residential homes and short breaks for children with disabilities, our pioneering Staying Close Staying Connected project or vital essentials like our family assessment centre and wraparound care offer, one thing is universal: you’ll be joining a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who want the very best for the young people they care for. Why Break? At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work. This role will work in our Staying Close Staying Connected project, Staying Close Staying Connected, one of eight pilot models for leaving care being funded by the Department of Education. For children in care, turning 18 can mean finding themselves on a cliff-edge of support. This service is truly leading the way nationally in terms of leaving care provision. About the role: As a Break Transition Worker, you’ll be working closely with young people who have recently left their children’s residential care home and are taking their first steps into independence. Success in this role will very much hinge on the strong, trusting relationship you’ll build with the group of young people you’re working with. You’ll make regular visits to their home and support them to increase their independent living skills. Whether that means teaching them one of your signature dishes (talk to Transition Worker Matt in Cambridgeshire for his Weetabix burger recipe), helping them to pay bills, applying for benefits or filling in a job application the role you will play in young people’s lives will be fundamental in supporting mental health, wellbeing and their future. You will help them break down the barriers they might feel as a young person leaving care, and be the best possible version of themselves as they enter independence. You’ll work flexibly and have a can do attitude, be able to adapt your working to suit the individuals or professionals you’re working with, be calm under pressure and be resilient enough to cope with challenging emotions and behaviours. In your role, you’ll have access to the following benefits:
Full details of the role, including a job description and person specification can be found within the ‘documents’ section at the bottom of this page. Closing date: 23/02/2024 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy, without prior warning, as and when suitable candidates apply and are interviewed) The first interview will be a Safe Care/ Warner style interview. If successful after the first interview, candidates will then be expected to attend a formal interview. To comply with the Immigration Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 and additional amendments, and UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements, all prospective employees will be asked to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. We will ask to see and take a copy of an appropriate official document as set out in the UKBA guidelines. Do not send anything now, further information will be sent to you should you be invited to interview. We are committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. For more information on this job opportunity, please initially email or call the HR Team via the contact details found on our website. This job is also known as: Transition Worker, Housing Worker, Care, Children, Care Worker, Children Support Worker, Youth Worker Full details and application documents here  Location: King's Lynn Salary: £12,124 per annum Contract Type: Permanent / Part Time Hours: 20 hours per week Closing Date: 16/02/2024 23:59 About Break:
Nobody chooses the family or circumstances they are born into. At Break we firmly believe that with the right care, there is no limit to what can be achieved. We work across East Anglia with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether you’re interested in working in our residential homes and short breaks for children with disabilities, our pioneering Staying Close Staying Connected project or vital essentials like our family assessment centre and wraparound care offer, one thing is universal: you’ll be joining a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who want the very best for the young people they care for. Why Break? At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work. This role will work in our Staying Close Staying Connected project, Staying Close Staying Connected, one of eight pilot models for leaving care being funded by the Department of Education. For children in care, turning 18 can mean finding themselves on a cliff-edge of support. This service is truly leading the way nationally in terms of leaving care provision. About the role: As a Break Transition Worker, you’ll be working closely with young people who have recently left their children’s residential care home and are taking their first steps into independence. Success in this role will very much hinge on the strong, trusting relationship you’ll build with the group of young people you’re working with. You’ll make regular visits to their home and support them to increase their independent living skills. Whether that means teaching them one of your signature dishes (talk to Transition Worker Matt in Cambridgeshire for his Weetabix burger recipe), helping them to pay bills, applying for benefits or filling in a job application the role you will play in young people’s lives will be fundamental in supporting mental health, wellbeing and their future. You will help them break down the barriers they might feel as a young person leaving care, and be the best possible version of themselves as they enter independence. You’ll work flexibly and have a can do attitude, be able to adapt your working to suit the individuals or professionals you’re working with, be calm under pressure and be resilient enough to cope with challenging emotions and behaviours. In your role, you’ll have access to the following benefits:
Full details of the role, including a job description and person specification can be found within the ‘documents’ section at the bottom of this page. (We reserve the right to close this vacancy, without prior warning, as and when suitable candidates apply and are interviewed) The first interview will be a Safe Care/ Warner style interview. If successful after the first interview, candidates will then be expected to attend a formal interview. To comply with the Immigration Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 and additional amendments, and UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements, all prospective employees will be asked to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. We will ask to see and take a copy of an appropriate official document as set out in the UKBA guidelines. Do not send anything now, further information will be sent to you should you be invited to interview. We are committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. For more information on this job opportunity, please initially email or call the HR Team via the contact details found on our website. This job is also known as: Transition Worker, Housing Worker, Care, Children, Care Worker, Children Support Worker, Youth Worker Full details and application documents here  Location: Norwich, Norfolk Salary: £33,016- £34,592 per annum, depending on qualifications Contract Type: Permanent / Part Time Closing Date: 08/02/2024 Salary – The starting salary will be £33,016 - £34,592 per annum (pro rata for part time) depending on qualifications and experience with a maximum rate of £36,167.
Hours – 16 hours per week (minimum) Location – Norwich, Norfolk About Break Nobody chooses the family or circumstances they are born into. At Break we firmly believe that with the right care, there is no limit to what can be achieved. We work across East Anglia with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether you’re interested in working in our residential homes and short breaks for children with disabilities, our pioneering Staying Close Staying Connected project or vital essentials like our family assessment center and wraparound care offer, one thing is universal: you’ll be joining a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who want the very best for the young people they care for. Learn more about Break Why Break? At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised, and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work. About the Role We are looking for a part-time Social Worker to join our small therapeutic fostering team, based at Diamond House in Norwich. You will share our commitment to delivering a high quality, trauma informed service to our fostering families and will have an empathic understanding of the nature of the foster carers task and the experiences of the children they care for. You will have proven skills of communication with traumatised children and young people who are unable to be cared for by their birth families, with a good knowledge of developmental trauma and attachment. You will work in a small, dedicated team to offer support to between 6 and 8 families in a way that is trauma informed, kind and compassionate and which supports foster carers to provide attuned care grounded in therapeutic parenting principles. You will be a SWE registered Social Worker with experience of working with looked after children and/or foster carers which is underpinned by a knowledge or relevant legislation as well as direct experience. You will be able to support carers through direct work, group work and training delivery and will be aspirational in your approach to planning for young people’s futures. You will be passionate about working openly and honestly with foster carers, colleagues, and partner agencies. You will be keen to work in a team that promotes relationship based, reflective practice and be enthusiastic about service development. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled social worker to influence and effect change within our dynamic organisation whilst developing their own career. You will be able to work independently and autonomously in line with Break’s values, as well as be an enthusiastic team member able to work collaboratively towards our shared purpose of supporting foster carers to love and support the children they care for until they reach adulthood and beyond. Part time applicants can work upwards of 16 hours per week, specific terms and flexible working patterns will be considered to meet both your needs and those of the service. On occasion we host events for families in the evening or weekend – this is not regular and attendance at these events can be considered in line with your personal circumstances. Please state on your application how many hours per week you would be willing to work. In your role, you’ll have access to the following benefits:
Full details of the role, including a job description and person specification can be found within the ‘documents’ section at the bottom of this page. To apply use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page to be taken to our application site. For more information regarding this position please contact Natasha Freeman, Registered Manager via email - [email protected]. Interview Date: We will interview suitable candidates as they apply. This means the role may close at short notice and without prior warning. The first interview will be a Safe Care/ Warner style interview. If successful after the first interview, candidates will then be expected to attend a formal interview. To comply with the Immigration Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 and additional amendments, and UK Visa's and Immigration (UKVI) requirements, all prospective employees will be asked to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. We will ask to see and take a copy of an appropriate official document as set out in the UKVI guidelines. Do not send anything now, further information will be sent to you should you be invited to interview. We are committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Full details and application documents here  Location: Norwich, Norfolk Salary: £33,016- £34,592 per annum, depending on qualifications Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time Closing Date: 31/01/2024 Salary – The starting salary will be £33,016 - £34,592 per annum depending on qualifications and experience with a maximum rate of £36,167.
Hours – 37 hours per week Location – Norwich, Norfolk About Break Nobody chooses the family or circumstances they are born into. At Break we firmly believe that with the right care, there is no limit to what can be achieved. We work across East Anglia with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether you’re interested in working in our residential homes and short breaks for children with disabilities, our pioneering Staying Close Staying Connected project or vital essentials like our family assessment centre and wraparound care offer, one thing is universal: you’ll be joining a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who want the very best for the young people they care for. Learn more about Break Why Break? At Break we invest in the future of our staff just as we do for the young people in our services. We strive to provide the highest quality of care, so whether you’re just starting your career in children’s social care or are already qualified, you’ll be supported, recognised, and rewarded for your essential part in our vital work. About the Role We are looking for a full-time Social Worker to join our small therapeutic fostering team, based at Diamond House in Norwich. You will share our commitment to delivering a high quality, trauma informed service to our fostering families and will have an empathic understanding of the nature of the foster carers task and the experiences of the children they care for. You will have proven skills of communication with traumatised children and young people who are unable to be cared for by their birth families, with a good knowledge of developmental trauma and attachment. You will work in a small, dedicated team to offer support to between 6 and 8 families in a way that is trauma informed, kind and compassionate and which supports foster carers to provide attuned care grounded in therapeutic parenting principles. You will be a SWE registered Social Worker with experience of working with looked after children and/or foster carers which is underpinned by a knowledge or relevant legislation as well as direct experience. You will be able to support carers through direct work, group work and training delivery and will be aspirational in your approach to planning for young people’s futures. You will be passionate about working openly and honestly with foster carers, colleagues, and partner agencies. You will be keen to work in a team that promotes relationship based, reflective practice and be enthusiastic about service development. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled social worker to influence and effect change within our dynamic organisation whilst developing their own career. You will be able to work independently and autonomously in line with Break’s values, as well as be an enthusiastic team member able to work collaboratively towards our shared purpose of supporting foster carers to love and support the children they care for until they reach adulthood and beyond. Full time applicants will need to work a 37 hour week however flexible working patterns can be considered to meet both your needs and those of the service. On occasion we host events for families in the evening or weekend – this is not regular and attendance at these events can be considered in line with your personal circumstances. In your role, you’ll have access to the following benefits:
Full details of the role, including a job description and person specification can be found within the ‘documents’ section at the bottom of this page. For more information regarding this position please contact Natasha Freeman, Registered Manager via email - [email protected]. Closing Date: 31.01.2024 Interview Date: We will interview suitable candidates as they apply. This means the role may close at short notice and without prior warning. The first interview will be a Safe Care/ Warner style interview. If successful after the first interview, candidates will then be expected to attend a formal interview. To comply with the Immigration Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 and additional amendments, and UK Visa's and Immigration (UKVI) requirements, all prospective employees will be asked to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. We will ask to see and take a copy of an appropriate official document as set out in the UKVI guidelines. Do not send anything now, further information will be sent to you should you be invited to interview. We are committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Full details and application documents here |
News & JobsNews stories and job vacancies from our member agencies, the fostering sector and the world of child protection and safeguarding as a whole. Browse Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
|
The Fairer Fostering Partnership
c/o TACT Fostering Innovation House PO Box 137 Blyth NE24 9FJ |