Initial Enquiry Worker (Fostering Recruitment & Assessment)

To provide a knowledgeable and friendly information and support service to applicants wanting to become foster carers, via an online application or telephone enquiry. Duties will include direct contact with members of the public, completing application forms and accessing information about prospective applicants on Mosaic. Organising and supporting a variety of recruitment activities, and actively promote fee paid fostering schemes. To maintain and produce comprehensive statistics.

To support the recruitment of suitable applicants to become foster carers. To be the first contact to answer questions and follow up interest with members of the public wanting to become foster carers. To be involved in marketing and recruitment activities and to actively promote ECC fostering schemes.

The role will require some evening and weekend work.

Accountabilities

• To be the first point of contact and to engage with members of the public that are enquiring about and applying to become foster carers.


• To follow up potential interest in a variety of ways i.e. telephone, email and text messaging. To be prepared to contact applicants after hours and over weekends when they are available.


• To keep statistical information about numbers of enquiries and reasons for closure and produce comprehensive statistics when required.


• In conjunction with members of the recruitment team and communications team to organise and participate in recruitment activities. Monitor the information available on the website, and to promote the various fee paid fostering schemes.


• They administer all bookings and make all logistical and catering arrangements for the skills to foster courses.


• To record information in line with the Department's Access to Information policy and to ensure the Departments' Child Protection procedures are adhered to.


• To attend and contribute to staff meetings.


• Any other duties that can reasonably be expected in line with the grading of the post.
  
  Educated to GCSE level or equivalent by experience which may include specific practical qualifications, such as, apprenticeships


• Experience of working with members of the public and the ability to maintain clear boundaries and open communications with clients & colleagues.


• An awareness of the criteria and expectations of foster carers, challenges and issues that can impact on children's behaviour and reasons for coming into foster care.


• Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated through direct communication, conflict resolution& assertiveness.


Desirable:

• An ability to communicate clearly in written & oral form.


• A commitment to developing one's self personally & professionally.


• Familiarity with the Children Act 1989 & the 2011Fostering Service Regulations & National Minimum Standards for Fostering.


• Ability to manage time effectively.


Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, 1-2 days per month, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired, with some onsite working at events across the county as part of the role.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!, As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service