Join Our Team at Foster Care Associates (FCA)
Position: Referrals Officer - Fostering
Type: Part-time, Permanent
Location: Hybrid - South East (London)
Hours: 21 hours per week - 4 days
Salary: £13,578.04 pro rata (£22,630.06 per annum full-time equivalent)
Benefits: 30 days' annual leave (increasing to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme, Medical Cash Plan & Free Parking (all benefits are pro rata)
About Us
Founded in 1994 by a passionate former foster parent and social worker, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is a leading fostering agency that is part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's largest networks of children's service providers.
Our journey began in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, and since then, we have grown significantly while maintaining our core mission: to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of looked-after children. We pride ourselves on our strong reputation for excellence and our commitment to helping children and families thrive.
At FCA South East, we have a dedicated and experienced team that supports every child and foster parent in our care. We believe in creating a community where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
What We Are Looking For
As a Referrals Officer, you will play a crucial role in managing referrals from Local Authorities. Your mission will be to ensure that placements are thoughtfully matched to meet the unique needs of each child and family.
In this role, you will:
* Work independently and use your initiative to create person-centered solutions.
* Be the first point of contact for Local Authorities, foster families, and Social Workers, building strong, positive relationships.
* Demonstrate strong administrative skills and the ability to navigate regulatory policies and processes.
Experience in children's services or a similar environment is a plus, but full training will be provided. We are a family of independent fostering agencies united by a shared vision: to support children who have faced challenges in life and help them build a brighter future.
Roles & Responsibilities
* Promote foster parent vacancies through effective communication with Local Authorities.
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with Local Authorities.
* Ensure systems are accurate and up-to-date.
* Work efficiently under tight deadlines.
* Utilize company performance data to support foster parents and drive business growth.
* Complete foster parent pay processes (training provided).
* Liaise with the Referral Hub for additional support as needed.
* Keep your line manager informed about referrals, matching, and any vacancy-related issues.
* Participate in regular meetings and assist with minute-taking.
If you’re excited about making a difference and want to be part of a supportive community, we encourage you to apply! We can’t wait to hear from you!
Note: Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.