Agency Decision Maker - FOSTERING Fixed Term 12 months contract
Basic salary: Up to £55,000 per annum dependent on experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 day's with length of service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Company Pension, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Base Location: Office/Homebased
Covering Location: Nationwide
About Us
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.
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.
Overall Purpose/Aim:
To make evidence based decisions about whether a person is suitable to be approved or re approved as a foster parent in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedure and best practise.
Supporting the responsible individual
Maintaining an up to date knowledge on new legislation, case law, policy guidance and local/regional policy developments and supporting the implementation of new legislation in conjunction with senior managers.
Making and communication the decision to; Social work practitioners, families and panels and driving best practice across the service.
Ensuring that issues of equality and diversity are properly reflected and addressed in the documents upon which the post holders decisions are based and withing the decision taken
Providing regular reports for internal and external bodies
Playing a key role in the strategic development of the agency through provision of specialist knowledge and expertise.
Produce, develop, deploy and review policies, procedures and practice guidance specifically in relation to Agency Decision Making
Undertake Panel chair appraisals alongside the agency panel advisor
Play an active role in any external inspection of the fostering service, meeting with inspectors and evidencing the quality of the decisions made and of agency provision
Produce and present workshops to staff and/or foster parents throughout the country when required relating to the Agency Decision Process
Assist with the preparation of submissions to relevant government/regulatory bodies (e.g. Ofsted, CSSIW, HCPC,) and others such as local authority service commissioners e.g. Quality of Care Reports, pre-inspection returns, action plans, tender submissions, and performance statistics/service audit returns.
Engage with other Polaris staff in the development and use of such databases (e.g. Charms) as may be determined to record service activity and outcomes, including analysis of such information captured.
Work with local Fostering Services and Registered Managers to provide knowledge management and evaluation of the 'quality' of work in relation to assessment and review of foster parents
Liaise with the relevant departments and staff to ensure the organisation is not exposed to risks that are not managed. This includes media and an appreciation of the insurance and legal implications.
Liaise with external bodies relevant to the work of Foster Care Associates as directed by the Managing Director or Operational Directo
Attend meetings as required to develop the work of the Quality Assurance team in FCA and the Polaris Community.
Contribute to the wider remit of the Polaris Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Team through quarterly structured performance and quality evaluation meetings, attendance at management meetings, and to attend senior management meetings as requested and collaboration on mutual projects as may be directed.
You will
Qualified Social Worker
Registered with SWE, SSSC, SCW & NISCC
Extensive (at least 3 years) post-qualifying experience of childcare social work with extensive knowledge of childcare law and practice.
ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative information in assessment and reports provided to panels
specialist knowledge about the disclosure of protected information about adults
experience and understanding of relevant approaches to quality assurance
Influencing, negotating and advocacy skills
High level of written and oral communication skills
Production of analysis of reports
Confidence in devising and delivering training
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a highly supportive environment and to continue to build on an already highly performing fostering service which continues to develop and grow.
IF you have any questions regarding this role please contact John Platt, Managing Director directly on 07813054752 or email
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