Referrals Officer

**FOSTERING PEOPLE**

**Referrals Officer - Fostering**

**Salary: Up to £19,500 per annum**

**Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave (rising to 35 days' with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme, Medical Cash Plan & On-Site Free Parking**

**Office Base: West Bridgford, Nottingham**

**Working hours: 9am - 5pm, Mon-Fri**

**About Us**

Fostering People are an innovative developing provider with an outstanding inspection rating. We have a reputation for providing exceptional support, to our children, foster carers and to our dedicated staff team. Established in 2000, our reputation and positive approach has enabled us to achieve growth in the fostering sector. We have received 3 consecutive Outstanding inspections from Ofsted. Our 2019 inspection report highlighted the following:

- _Staff and managers work proactively and closely with a wide range of involved agencies and professionals. They constantly strive to learn and improve the services that they provide._
- _Carers report being very happy working for this agency. They feel that the assessment process is robust and fair. They have excellent support from their supervising social workers, as well as managers in the agency. They attend support groups and regular events with their birth and looked after children. They feel highly valued and respected as carer._
- _Agency staff report exceptionally high levels of satisfaction in their roles. They feel well supported, trained and respected. Training opportunities for staff and carers are excellent._

**We are looking to recruit a Referrals Officer to join our enthusiastic team based in our Head Office in Nottingham.**

This is an office based contract, but we are currently office based on Wednesdays and Thursdays and work from home Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays, however, other days may be required depending on meetings/training and you would be expected to work 5 days a week in the office if this were to change at any point. The role may require some additional traveling to Foster Parent forums, however, this will be required once or twice a year depending on what region you would cover. As a Referrals Officer you will oversee, process and action referrals received from Local Authorities. You will work collaboratively with the Referrals Officers, Social Workers and Team Managers to carefully match young people with Fostering Families according to their needs. You should be able to work effectively within a team and also independently to make decisions and use your own initiative to find creative solutions when needed.

The Referrals Officer role is the first point of contact between Local Authorities, Social Workers and Foster Families. You will need to be confident and professional when liaising with customers, and be able to develop positive relationships when communicating with colleagues and Fostering Families.

It would be beneficial to have experience of working within children's services or similar. You should be able to evidence your administration skills, ability to follow regulatory policies and processes, and have the ability to work well within a fast paced team. Full training will be provided.

We are a family of independent fostering agencies, all with our own individual areas of expertise, but with one shared vision. We want to give children across the country who have had a difficult start in life, the support they need to build themselves a stronger and happier future. For our Foster Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.

If you would like an informal conversation about this vacancy please contact the Referrals Manager Sophie Butler on 0115 9455445 or 07462855173.

No agencies please.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: Up to £19,500.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
- Store discount

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Experience**:

- Administrative: 1 year (preferred)
- Customer service: 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

- United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: REF-1Y-QO9LDEU