Administrator

**FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA)**

**Role: Administrator**

**Location: Devon - Ivybridge**

**Contract Type: Full-time**

**Salary: up to £19,500**

**Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 day's with length of service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan.**

**ABOUT US**

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK’s largest leading communities of children’s service providers.

The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that’s still where our Head Office is today.

We’ve come a long way since those early days and, over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence, and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same; ‘to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities’, and it’s underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential.

Today, we’re one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we’re large doesn’t mean we’re impersonal. At FCA we’re one big family, and we’re committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.

**WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR**

We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable Administrator with strong IT skills and an eye for detail to join us in our friendly, dedicated and established team working at our Cornwood Office based in Ivybridge. The role covers a wide range of tasks and will especially suit you if you have a passion for methodical processes.

**DUTIES INCLUDE**:

- Undertake a wide range of administrative tasks and duties using Office 365 and Teams
- Supporting the regional and wider team, acting as an admin support for Hub regions
- Acting as a Regional Training Lead; co-ordinating and sourcing appropriate training for foster parents and staff
- Organisation and coordination of meetings and events ranging from support groups and team meetings to conferences and Christmas lunches
- Completion of weekly and monthly tasks according to deadlines, internal processes and Fostering Regulations
- Manage regular DBS and Health Checks for foster parents, ensuring all matters relating to these procedures are followed to ensure compliance
- Rostering social work staff onto duty rotas
- Record and maintain accurate records on our database (CHARMS)
- Act as first point of contact for our customers and portray a positive, professional and helpful image of the organisation
- Note/Action/Minute taking at meetings as requested
- Provide support for Fostering Panel Administrator/Minute Taker
- Coordinate initial visits to potential Foster Parents for FCA South Western
- Produce monthly Foster Parent Newsletters using Word/Sways
- Communicate appropriately and effectively with key stakeholders such as Foster Parents and Local Authorities
- Cover reception duties using VOIP phones (lunch/annual leaves)
- Deputise for Senior Administrator as needed
- Be flexible in approach and undertake all duties that may fall within the scope of the role as directed by line and regional management

**ESSENTIAL CRITERIA**:

- A passion for administration and delivering outstanding customer service
- Proven experience of working in a deadline driven environment under pressure with the ability to multitask whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy
- Solid educational background to include GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics
- Be able to evidence an understanding of the use of IT and electronic communications including the use of Microsoft Office in particular TEAMS, Word, Excel and Outlook (Microsoft Forms and Sharepoint desirable but not essential)
- A good knowledge of administrative systems and processes
- Ability to handle confidential information appropriately
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Administration qualification or equivalent

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Luisa Tanner 01752 697300

**Salary**: £19,500.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Store discount

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: REF-31-LQ611E8