Referrals Officer - Fostering

FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA) REFERRALS OFFICER - FOSTERING Location: Office Based - Chorley 9 Months Fixed Term - Open to negotiate full time or part time hours. Salary: £20,820 Per Annum Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme, Medical Cash Plan & On-Site Free Parking 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 is still where our Head Office is today. We have come a long way since those early days. 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 is underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential. Today, we are one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. Just because we are large, does not mean we are impersonal. At FCA we are one big family, and we are committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day. A referral officer liaises with Local Authorities, professional colleagues and FCA foster families in the region to effectively coordinate referrals and achieve successfully matched homes. You will be a first point of call for existing foster parents and will promote a high quality, professional services the referral teams offer when assisting with the referrals of children and young people, and offer excellent support for our foster parents. Key Responsibilities for Referrals Officer at FCA: First Point of Contact: Respond promptly and efficiently to referral inquiries and requests. Represent FCA professionally with expert knowledge. Referral System Management: Maintain the existing referral system - Charms Coordinate referrals to local authority commissioning departments efficiently. Ensure effective homes are identified by matching needs with available resources. Prioritise the safety of children through liaison with social workers and foster parents. Update and maintain vacancy records accurately using both manual and electronic systems. Regulatory Compliance: Maintain knowledge of regulations and statutes relevant to family fostering. Ensure service provision meets National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations. Report concerns regarding child protection promptly following FCA policies. Business Development: Sustain and expand business in accordance with FCA's plan. Maintain our excellent relationships with local authority. Promote FCA resources and services effectively. Maintain accurate customer contact details and vacancy lists. Matching Children to Foster Carers: Assess and understand the needs of children requiring foster care homes. Collaborate closely with social workers and foster parents to ensure suitable matches. Utilise comprehensive knowledge of foster carer profiles, matching and capabilities. Coordinate with local authorities to align local requirements with available resources. Prioritise the well-being and safety of children during the matching process. Maintain accurate records of matches to ensure ongoing support and monitoring. Administrative Skills: Strong organisational skills with attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively. Experience in maintaining records and managing data. IT Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Familiarity with database management and electronic record-keeping systems. Capability to learn new software and systems quickly. Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Strong ability to build and maintain professional relationships with Local Authorities, Foster Parents etc Empathetic and compassionate approach when dealing with sensitive situations. Telephone Skills: Confident and professional telephone etiquette. Ability to handle inquiries and provide information clearly and concisely. Skilled in active listening and responding effectively to callers' needs. For more information about this post please contact Clare Wrightson, Referrals Manager on (phone number removed). To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch. No agencies please. Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position. INDCOMMP