Participation Officer

Maternity Cover Participation Officer - Orange Grove
Contract Type: Full Time
Salary: £24,874.12 per annum
Contract Term: 12-month Fixed-Term Contract
Location: No base
Covering Location: London and Kent
Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days’ annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance and Employee Discount Scheme

About Us

Orange Grove was founded in 1996 by two social workers who understood that strong relationships held the key to successful fostering. As with all families, relationships matter. They provide a stable platform for growth, which is why we commit time, effort and resources to nurturing them constantly.

We do this for the children in our care by getting to know them and providing a safe and positive family environment. We do it for our foster parents by treating them individually and tailoring our support to their needs. We take care to build strong and positive relationships with local authorities and our other partners, so we can all work effectively together.

This has been at the heart of our philosophy ever since we were first established 30 years ago.

Orange Grove Southern Counties has an exciting opportunity for a Participation Officer to join our team on a fixed-term contract. You will play an important part in our continuing commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our children and young people, ensuring that their views and experiences shape the services we provide.

Requirements

• Have significant professional childcare experience, with priority given to candidates who have some fostering sector experience or can demonstrate significant fostering knowledge and interest
• Ideally possess a relevant qualification or evidence of formal training in childcare, childhood studies, education, social work, youth work, community work or psychology
• Can demonstrate previous experience of building rapport with adults and children with an array of different needs and expectations
• Able to remain calm when under high levels of pressure, in emotionally traumatic situations and when dealing with challenging behaviour
• Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and databases
• Have a full UK driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle
• Be willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Orange Grove Fostercare

Responsibilities

• Arrange activities and workshops for our looked-after and birth children
• Plan family events and days out
• Forge close and productive working relationships with colleagues, foster parents, external professionals and multi-agency networks
• Attend meetings with professionals from education, health and social services sectors to support our children and young people’s care plans
• Complete assessments, reviews and reports, and maintain clear records
• Be aware of and take responsibility for staying up to date with professional practice standards, legislation and company policy, including confidentiality, GDPR, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Provide support and guidance to our families and help promote the stability of foster placements

Orange Grove Fostercare is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Orange Grove Fostercare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.