 St Christopher’s has an exciting opportunity to join its West Midlands Fostering Panel. We are looking for a Panel Chair to help us provide an excellent foster care service.
Panel plays an integral role in ensuring that children and young people come first and are safe when they live with St Christopher’s foster carers. They examine assessments of prospective foster carers and ensure that high standards are maintained across the agency in line with Panel’s monitoring role. We are open to applications from a range of backgrounds and expertise with the following skills, knowledge and experience:
You will need to commit to attendance at Panel as agreed with St Christopher’s and to contribute to the development of panel including review of panel members and panel member training. Please note that paperwork is shared with Panel members electronically, so applicants should have secure access to a laptop or similar. All applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check as part of the interview process. What we offer As part of their role Panel Members receive:
For more information or to express your interest, please contact Annette Richards on 07921 603 493/ annetterichards@stchris.org.uk, or Debbie Stone on 07894 386 365/ debbiestone@stchris.org.uk. Member News: St Christopher's Fostering Story - “It was the first time I felt like I stood a chance”12/8/2021
 Only 6% of care leavers go to university – so what can we do to make sure more young people in care have this opportunity, in line with St Christopher’s strategic aim to promote lifelong learning and thriving?
We spoke to Catherine, a recent St Christopher’s care leaver, to learn about her experiences of education and what needs to change so that young people in care have the knowledge and confidence to apply. How old were you when you came into care? I was 14 when I came into care and now I’m 18 and have just left. I lived with my main foster family for just under four years. The last 18 months has seen so much upheaval for everyone. How has the pandemic been for you? It started when I was in the middle of Year 12 with exams coming up. I would wake up at the same time every day, leave my phone off and act like I was at college, even though I was at home. It was easy for me to get into a new routine. When we were told about teacher-assessed grades I wasn’t that worried as I thought they would have enough evidence to give me a good grade, so it helped keep me calm. Come results day I had been downgraded by two grades, which I wasn’t prepared for so I didn’t know what to do! Luckily the government changed the rules so that teachers could give your predicted grades instead. You are going to university in September – have you always wanted to go? Before I came into care I did want to go but I think that’s just because school told us to aim for it. However, I didn’t understand how you actually get to university and I never thought about the course or where I would like to go. It wasn’t until I spoke to a careers advisor in Year 11 that I started thinking about medicine and felt that initial spark of interest. I want to become a dermatologist because you can help people with clinical treatment and with the psychological effect of any skin problems. I would have liked to see more stories from young people like me. Even if they don’t know where to begin or feel down about applying, I hope somewhere a young person is reading this and it helps them gain the knowledge to apply to uni. Have you faced any challenges applying for university? I discovered I was restricted in a number of ways. Like I had been off school for a couple of months with illness and ended up at a special needs school for my GCSEs. This meant I could only do a few GCSEs, which meant I couldn’t meet the requirements for some medicine degrees when they wanted seven or eight GCSEs at high grades. Then I found out about a foundation or gateway year for medicine courses. They’re designed for disadvantaged students – people who are capable of studying medicine but don’t have the right academic background due to no fault of their own, such as not doing the right subjects. They have contextual criteria you can meet, like if you’re a care leaver, from a low income household or if your parents didn’t go to university – it’s different everywhere. Nobody had ever mentioned this pathway even though it is designed for people like me who are underrepresented. It was the first time I felt like it was a route I could go down and I stood a chance. Learning about the foundation year got me really engaged. And it eases the transition as I’ve got a year to get to know the area, teachers and other students. How did your foster carer support you? My foster mum was amazing. She took me to school every day and took me to all my college interviews. Everything I said I wanted to do she was always respectful and supportive and tried to do everything that she could to help me. If things weren’t going well with my social worker, school or college, she stepped up and put her foot in the ground, especially when I felt like I couldn’t put my point across. I’m really thankful she was able to do that when I couldn’t. We were a family unit as her daughter lived there too, and her other daughter and grandson visited regularly. It was nice to have different age ranges in the house. Although my carer didn’t know the ins and outs of applying to university, she still tried to get involved and was always there to offer me advice. I was really appreciative of it. Now that you have left care, what support do you have? I have a Personal Advisor (PA), who I’ve been in contact with since I turned 17. I never knew you had a PA when you left care and when they explained their role it sounded like a social worker. However she does more than that – she visits, checks how I’m doing and helps with finances and job applications, all tailored to what I need. She says she is going to drive to university to visit me every two months, I’m really impressed by that because you get a better understanding when you meet up with someone in person. And I still go to visit my foster family about once a week – it’s two buses away but always worth the journey. Nothing has really changed, I still feel part of the family and I’m welcome any time. They have another foster child now so it makes me think of what I was like when I first started living there and how far I’ve come and how I can make them feel welcome. I hope to see other young people living with them achieve the same things as me. I like that any new foster child will see I’m still in touch with the carers and that it’s not all over once you move out. What needs to happen for more children in care to go to university? University was never presented as an option to me, I think it was assumed I would get a job. When I have spoken to other young people in care, they seem to have had the same experiences. It’s a shame because if you sit down with young people and just ask what they want to do, regardless of their experiences, they can still go on to do loads of different things like university or higher education. I’m not saying everyone should go to uni but it’s just about knowing all your options. Like at every meeting they always push apprenticeships. It’s great they know all about that but they need a range of things that can fit everyone. They always say only 6% care leavers go to uni but then keep pushing the non-university options to us. There needs to be more awareness too, like better representation in the media. It’s the case with a lot of disadvantaged groups that you’re always being told you’re disadvantaged but never see anyone from those backgrounds going off to do something they are not expected to do. It’s like they acknowledge the problem but don’t give you ways to support yourself or solutions! Maybe it would help if social workers could be taught about what they can do to get young people into uni and have more information about foundation years – that really was a lightbulb moment for me and could have saved months of me worrying that I couldn’t go to uni. Professionals should know about funding too. If you’re a care leaver you’re entitled for a bursary but I had to find this out for myself. If teachers, social workers and carers could be loaded with this information then it can start young people off so they can go and do more research themselves. There is currently a care review in England. What would you change about the care system? Staying Put programmes. From what I know not many people end up with the Staying Put programme due to funding. When we looked into it, it was all money money money and you don’t feel like a person, it’s like they’re telling you you’re not worth couple of hundred pounds a week. Having a more consistent social worker would help too. I’ve had seven social workers in four years I’ve been in care. I’ve had a couple that have just gone away and nobody has told me why or when they are coming back. If there was an emergency, who was I meant to call? Luckily I could speak to my foster mum’s social worker at St Christopher’s and she was always really supportive. If you had one social worker the whole time you can build a good relationship with them. Maybe you could meet a couple of social workers when you first come into care and decide which one you like. If on first impressions you don’t think you’ll get on with them then you won’t try to build the relationship with them to start with so it would help if you could pick. Finally, what are you most looking forward to about university? I’m not gonna say the freedom as I’m sort of already at the halfway mark of living by myself. I cook and clean and look after the house and my granddad, who I live with. But I am looking forward to joining societies and want to do something that I never thought I would try before. I’m open to getting to know a lot of people – I think there are so many different people that you will find people who are like you. Thank you so much to Catherine for sharing her story. If you want to help a young person reach their full potential, enquire about fostering with St Christopher’s today. Source: https://www.stchris.org.uk/ We are delighted to share this job opportunity for FFP member, Break.  Fostering Supervising Social Worker
Location: Norwich (covering Norfolk) Salary: £18,105 to £19,010 per annum Contract Type: Permanent / Part Time Closing Date: Sunday 5 September 2021 Fostering Supervising Social Worker – Therapeutic Fostering Service – Norfolk 22 hours per week (Job Reference Number: FS3623) We currently have an amazing opportunity available for a Fostering Supervising Social Worker to join our Therapeutic Fostering Service. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with a caring and calm approach to help support and supervise the Foster Carers within our Fostering Team. This is a unique opportunity to join our established not for profit Fostering Service which provides therapeutic placements for young people as well as parent and child placements. All candidates should hold a valid driving licence and have regular access to a vehicle for work purposes. The role will be expected to routinely attend the main office in Norwich on a regular basis whilst covering key locations in Norfolk. Qualifications
Essential Information
For more information on this vacancy, please visit: break-charity.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/2298795?cid=1886  Location: Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service – Lincoln Contract type: Permanent Hours: 37 Salary: £26,966.00 - £37,414.00 FTE Closing Date: 11 April 2021 Interview Date: 23rd April 2021 Barnardo's works in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver its Leaving Care Service for young people aged 16-25.
Our last OFSTED inspection achieved an ‘Outstanding' grade for the service we provide to Children in Care and Care Leavers. We are currently looking to recruit a Team Manager who will be based at our Lincoln office we are happy to consider applications from candidates wishing to work part or full time hours. There is an expectation that Team Managers will be required to travel across the region and where the service need requires. You will be joining an established management team who will be able to offer peer support and mentoring. Initial Specific Responsibilities Barnardo's have been delivering the Leaving Care Contract on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council for a number of years and following a successful re-commissioning Barnardo's will continue working in partnership with the County Council. Within service we not only have dedicated Leaving Care Workers we also have developed specialist services in relation to developing accommodation and supported lodgings specialists alongside workers helping with education, employment and training. We also have a dedicated senior project worker who leads on group participation, quality assurance and signs of safety across the service and we have some exciting developments in relation to creating a new jointly commissioned specialist mental health post and the joint development of a new housing scheme for Care Leavers. It's an exciting time to join the service as we extend our provision for 16-25 year old Care Leavers. We're looking for candidates with drive and determination who understands about working with looked after children and care leavers. Supplementary Information
Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore are open to offering flexible working arrangements. When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. About Barnardo's At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role. Barnardo's is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce for staff and volunteers. We actively encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and male candidates as they are under-represented within Barnardo's. Full details and application documents here  Circa: £19,000 Location: Kent, Greater London Department/Division: England North Contract Type: Permanent Full Time Hours: 35, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Closing Date: 10 February 2021 Giving children and young people the foundations they need to thrive.
The role Action for Children Fostering South East is one service, based on two sites. Our London office is in Camberwell. We also have a Kent service based in Ramsgate. We have foster carers in various and widespread areas of London and Kent. We are not a large service but we are long established, and have committed, skilled and experienced foster carers who are able to provide stable, nurturing family homes for children and young people who for various reasons aren't able to be cared for in their birth families. Our children, young people and carers are supported and by a very experienced and skilled staff team. One of the strengths that our foster carers often comment on is that our service has a ‘family' feel to it. We are looking for a Referrals Officer, based in our Kent service, who will build strong relationships with Local Authority Commissioners and social work teams by being dependable, responsive and supportive. You will work in partnership to advocate for best practice when making placements and represent Action for Children's values in your delivery. You will support our social workers and carers by providing clear and concise information and support the delivery of safe processes to ensure placements are made in line with contractual specifications. You will make a difference by:
You will need:
The way we work We work to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. Have a look at our behaviours and values to understand more about the way we work here. Rewards We want our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, a comprehensive employer-matched pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts on our dedicated benefits portal. Find out more about our exclusive Action for Children benefits here. For safe and happy childhoods At Action for Children, we protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families across the UK. For more information, please contact Lynsey Munro on Lynsey.Munro@actionforchildren.org.uk Interview dates are scheduled for 26th February 2021. We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best-practice. Action for Children is passionate about promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons particularly people with Disabilities and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. Full details and application documents here  Gloucester and Lancaster
We are looking to recruit 1x social worker in Gloucester and 1x social worker in Lancaster to fulfil either a Supervising Social Worker role or a Senior Supervising Social Worker role, dependent on experience. A (Senior) Supervising Social Worker at Community Foster Care will be driven to promote the Child or Young Person’s Ambitions and Dreams. They will do this by recruiting, enabling and enhancing foster families to provide safe, stable, loving, nurturing family homes. Children and Young People seeking to live within these families will have often experienced significant trauma and abuse. Enabling Children and Young people to thrive in our foster families will therefore require a number of special ingredients, which you will need to develop and nurture. Salary Scales: Senior Supervising Social Worker: £31,871-£36,540 + £1095 (car allowance) pro rata + c.£2.4k Out of Hours payment based on 73 nights. Total package approximately - £35,366-£40,035 Supervising Social Worker: £28,318.50-£30,551.50 + £1095 (car allowance) pro rata + £2.4k Out of Hours payment based on 73 nights. Total packahe approximately - £32,013.50-£34,246.50 Full Time Please complete an application form and email it to emmaw@communityfostercare.co.uk Closing date: 5th February with interviews on the 9th February Full details and application documents here  As a Practice Manager (Fostering) at Community Foster Care you will be driven to promote the Child or Young Person’s ambitions and dreams, offering support to your team of Social Workers and reporting to the Registered Manager.
You will do this by recruiting, enabling and enhancing foster families to provide safe, stable, loving, nurturing family homes. Children and Young People seeking to live within these families will have often experienced significant trauma and abuse. Enabling Children and Young people to thrive in our foster families will therefore require a number of special ingredients, which you will need to develop and nurture. In addition to the above you will also take lead responsibility for leading and developing in connecting more families with children - foster carer recruitment - and fostering better outcomes – therapeutic practice, learning and development. Please see job description for further information. Salary Scale: £37,656-£40,600 + £1095 (car allowance) pro rata + c.£2.6k Out of Hours payment based on 122 nights. (up to c.£44.5k) Full Time Out of Hours: Managers OOH rota participant. Nightly payment: Weekday night Cost £15.00 Weekend night cost £30.00 Total finance package: Up to c.£44,345 Please complete an application form and email it to emmaw@communityfostercare.co.uk Closing date: 15 January with interviews on 22 January Click here for more information and application form.  Team Fostering is an ethical not-for-profit fostering agency. We have a strong reputation and proven track record for providing high quality, value-for-money fostering placements for looked after children. We pride ourselves on our values and we expect our staff to commit to and demonstrate these values in their everyday work.
We are looking for Independent Reviewing Officers based in the North East and Yorkshire & East Midlands regions. Our Independent Reviewing Officers contribute to the provision of a high quality fostering service for children by ensuring that every Team Fostering foster carer’s suitability to foster and terms of approval are reviewed at least once annually as required by the Fostering Regulations. Independent Reviewing Officers chair foster carer reviews and produce high quality reports for Team Fostering on a self-employed basis. As part of the preparation for a review they also conduct audits of the agency files to ensure a high standard of recording is maintained. Individuals will have the necessary social work and management skills and experience to undertake this task, to contribute to the maintenance of quality standards within the organisation. Key Tasks:
This is a sessional role. Salary for the post is £32.12 per hour (each review and audit of carer’s file = 6 ½ hours) If you wish to discuss this role further please contact Vicky Johnson, Quality Standards Manager on 07500 026249. For more information and to apply, please visit: www.teamfostering.co.uk/about-us/work-with-us/current-vacancies/independent-reviewing-officer-north-east-and-yorkshire-east-midlands/ Closing Date: 9.00am on Monday 11 January 2021 Interviews will be held virtually on Monday 25 January 2021  Location: Professional Fostercare Contract type: Fixed term End date: Maternity Cover Hours: 37 Salary: £28,631 - £37,414 Closing Date: 4 December 2020 Interview Date: 14 December 2020 About Barnardo's
At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role. Barnardo's is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce for staff and volunteers. We actively encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and male candidates as they are under-represented within Barnardo's. Our basis and values Interested in joining a dynamic team providing family placements for looked after children? Barnardo's is recruiting a Family Placement Social Worker to join our established fostering service. This is a full time permanent post with the additional opportunity to join a waiting list for other vacancies that may arise within the service. Working base to be agreed on appointment and flexible working considered. When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. Full details and application documents here  Circa: £43,000, plus on call allowance Department/Division: Scotland Location: Glasgow, Lanarkshire Contract Type: Permanent Part Time Hours: 18.5 hours per week Closing Date: 16 November 2020 Finding safe and loving homes for vulnerable children and young people.
The role Do you have the values we need? Do you want to be part of a Service that helps young people feel valued and important? … helps them grow and be stronger? … inspires and feel supported? CAPS Fostering Service is a specialist fostering service that offers attachment- based therapeutic care to young people who cannot be looked after at home. We offer the highest standard of care and provide our carers with excellent training, supervision and support to achieve the best outcomes for young people. As a Team Manager you will be working as part of our team (Fostering Scotland) . You will make a difference by:
You will need:
The way we work We work to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. Have a look at our behaviours and values to understand more about the way we work here. Rewards We want our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, a comprehensive employer-matched pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts on our dedicated benefits portal. Find out more about our exclusive Action for Children benefits here. For safe and happy childhoods At Action for Children, we protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families across the UK. For more information, please contact Anne Marie Wilson anne-marie.wilson@actionforchildren.org.uk Interviews will be held Monday 30th November We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best-practice. Action for Children is passionate about promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons particularly people with Disabilities and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. Full details and application documents here |
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