Member Job Opportunity: St Christopher's - Project Officer – Online Safety in Fostering – West Midlands

Location: West Bromwich (remote working possible)
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Closing Date: 03 August 2021
Salary: £24,000 per annum pro-rata
Specific Hours: Part time, 20 hours per week

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This role is part of a one year online safety in fostering project. The successful candidate will support and empower young people to develop online safety in fostering policy and procedures that meet their diverse needs – including safeguarding – reflective of their lived experiences.

About Us
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people and we are proud of our history for providing fostering, children's homes and a range of innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man.  We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do.  We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

We are an equal opportunity employer and keen to develop an inclusive workforce were people feel they belong.  We hope to attract application from under- represented groups including people from different cultures, nationalities, socio economic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religion, faith, sex, orientation, child care responsibilities and with gender diverse identities.

About the Role
As Project Officer, you will be expected to build trusting, positive relationships with young people to enable them to feel confident to express their wishes and feelings whilst also safeguarding them and promoting their welfare. You will identify with young people what they need to develop online safety in fostering policy and procedures that meet their diverse needs. You will liaise with the Head of Fostering and grant funders to complete regular progress reports to a high professional standard using mixed media. You will be expected to work in a participative way and share reflective practice with our Participation lead. You will encourage young people to fully participate in society by developing links with the community, expanding their social network, with consideration of how this applies to an online context within foster care.

Applicants should have

• Experience of listening to young people’s views and ensuring that they are involved in decisions about their life.
• At least 1 years’ experience working with children and young people.
• Experience of leading group activities and mentoring children and young people through the learning process, working closely to identify strengths and development opportunities.
• An understanding of the issues affecting looked after children and those on the edge of care. 
• Knowledge of Safeguarding in a foster care context; concerns and issues around young people’s digital lives.
• Excellent communication and dynamic inter-personal skills, with the ability to initiate and maintain effective communication, honest and supportive relationships with young people, colleagues and external agencies. 
• Ability to deal with complex issues in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

What you should expect from us

• £24,000 per annum pro-rata
• A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Industry Leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and Social Pedagogy.
• Contributory pension scheme, Enhanced Maternity and Company Sick Scheme.
• BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.
• Discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
• Discretionary Funded Training Programs.
• Employee Awards based on performance and length of service.
• Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

Recruitment Process
At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements.

Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.

Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. For the full Job Description and Person Specification click here.

For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact [email protected]

Closing date: 03/08/2021

We advise to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

St Christopher’s Fellowship has a minimum age requirement of 21 for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and semi-independent Homes.

Full details and application documents here