About the Team/role
We are seeking to develop our IFA service in line with the changing expectations of the courts around permanence through fostering being a suitable long-term care option of Children Looked After, and the need to increase our in-house fostering resource and to reduce the numbers of children being placed away from the Reading area. 2024 will be an exciting time to join our IFA service and help us to shape its future development.
Joining our IFA will give you the opportunity to have a varied case load covering different aspects of carer recruitment and retention. This will include assisting with the preparation, assessment, supervision, support and ongoing training of Foster Carers. You will also contribute to the matching process and assist with placing children with Foster Carers, in accordance with the Agency’s ethos and guidelines. In addition, as part of our social work team you will help us to provide a level of out of hours support to our carers, on a rota basis, during the evening and at weekends, in order to assist them to maintain high standards of care for all children who are placed with them (an extra allowance is paid for this).
Job responsibilities:
To support the ongoing development of our IFA fostering service.
To assist with the recruitment of Foster Carers and support shared retention activities.
To actively participate in the recruitment, preparation and assessment of prospective Foster Carers.
To provide and deliver professional support and supervision to BFfC’s IFA’s foster carers in line with regulatory requirements, whilst always promoting the safe care and development of the looked after children/young people who are placed in their care.
To develop and maintain positive working relationships with children, their families and other professionals.
To keep up to date with contemporary issues in children’s social work / fostering, including legislation and evidence-based practice, and to attend relevant training and development opportunities.
To at all times comply with the Fostering Service Regulations, National Minimum Standards for Fostering and any other relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
To maintain accurate and timely case recording.
When working with foster carers and vulnerable looked after children/young people, to recognise safeguarding concerns, risk assess and monitor identified risks. Where necessary to escalate any safeguarding concerns in a timely manner and plan mitigating actions, complying with any child protection, and safeguarding requirements.
Essential Qualification/Experience:
Social Work Qualification – Diploma in Social Worker, BA or equivalent.
Social Work England (SWE) registration.
Able to understand and apply knowledge of the legal, social, economic, and ecological context of social work practice.
A good understanding of the range of issues relevant to fostering services, including relevant fostering legislation and standards.
Reasonable computer literacy, including the ability and confidence to use email, to access the internet, and to use basic IT systems to maintain electronic records.
A good understanding of safeguarding policies, in particular:
The role of the LADO
Handling Allegation/Standards of Care Management
Child Protection and Working Together.
Our offer
We offer a very supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to be creative and focus on innovative and ambitious interventions that leads to sustainable change for children placed with our Foster Carers. We seek to be supportive of our staff, to work respectfully and collaboratively with colleagues and carers, and to consistently work in ways that uphold our company values. We offer a competitive salary along with a range of benefits:
Local Government Pension Scheme
Relocation Scheme
26 days’ holiday (from 1 April 2023) plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years’ service)
Discounted Child Care (on site nursery)
Cycle to work scheme.
Season ticket loans
A range of local discounts
Free parking
Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
Inclusion and Diversity
We want Brighter Futures for Children to be a great place to work and to ensure that our children, young people and families are represented in leadership roles and positions of power. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our children, young people and families so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do.
Asking for Adjustments
Brighter Futures for Children is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions.
If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please let us know.
Closing date: 17th November 2024
We very much look forward to hearing from you!
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
