Training Assistant

This is a new role within the fostering team, supporting Buckinghamshire’s foster carers’ learning and development.

As well as working closely with the fostering training manager, the post holder will be communicating directly with carers and the fostering team, on a daily basis, providing essential support for our training programme.

“Foster carers and their families are amazing individuals who look after Buckinghamshire’s vulnerable children and young people. Our role is to support and equip them with the tools and knowledge to provide the best care possible. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to use and develop their administrative skills to support this very special fostering community.”

The training assistant will assist in the provision of efficient administrative support for foster carer learning and development, including Microsoft Office, fostering team processes and systems, as well as liaising directly with foster carers.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively neworganisation that combines the strengths and expertiseof the previousfive councils in the countytocreate positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to providestronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.

We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

This new role is an essential part of the fostering service. The training assistant must have the capacity to learn, adapt and use the fostering training processes including LCS the children’s services database.

They will act as one of the key administrators for the online booking system for training (Eventbrite) while also maintaining carer records.

On a day-to-day basis, they will need to provide a friendly and helpful response to enquiries via email, telephone, or from callers to the office.

The training assistant will liaise with facilities/external venues regarding room bookings – changes in venue, cancellations, set up, specific requirements, accessibility (wheelchair access and disabled facilities), parking arrangements, etc.

The post holder will provide accurate training information for internal use by the fostering training manager.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

We are looking for a dynamic individual, with an eye for detail, who understands the importance of supporting a robust learning and development programme, which includes maintaining training records.

This post holder will need to have strong social skills and be comfortable talking to foster carers and other key stakeholders. The post holder will need to drive as we run training courses across the county, and they may be required to attend.

This role will be ideal for someone who wants to be part of a friendly, supportive, and committed team. Most importantly you will share our dedication and passion to improve the lives of children and young people.

Please refer to the JD for more information on criteria.

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Selena Makepeace at selena.makepeace@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Closing date : Midnight on Sunday 19th May 2024

Interview date : W/C 20th May 2024

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and convictions cautions

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

Buckinghamshire is a successful, growing place with fantastic natural assets, a highly productive economy and many resourceful and thriving communities. However, we are far from complacent and our new and ambitious unitary authority is well placed to tackle the challenges associated with growth, an aging population, climate change and inequalities in both opportunities and outcomes – particularly for our children and young people.

Children’s Services is on an improvement journey and as our very recent Ofsted report shows, we have continued to improve despite the pressures of the pandemic and have built solid foundations for future success. Relationships with partners are strong and our collective response to the pandemic has strengthened and deepened our work together.

We have a big, ambitious agenda for Buckinghamshire, and our teams work collaboratively and at pace to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people across the county.

We are looking for talented and driven individuals to help us achieve the best outcomes for our children, young people and families in Buckinghamshire. Our key priorities include continuing to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm, whilst sustaining an environment where social work practice can thrive. Through our vital work with our partners, including The Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Childrens Partnership, we continue to improve our collective response to children and young people who have been exposed to domestic abuse, exploitation, substance misuse and mental health issues.

No matter what role you take on in our Children’s services, you will be part of a team who is dedicated to supporting children and their families to achieve their full potential.

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.