Join Our Team as a Fostering Engagement Officer!
Contract: Full-Time - Permanent
Location: Bromsgrove
Salary: Up to £24,000 depending on experience
Why Choose Us?
At Polaris, we are proud to be one of the UK's leading communities of children's service providers. For over 30 years, we have passionately improved the lives of young people through our independent fostering and adoption agencies, as well as our education, residential, and bespoke children's services. Our nurturing community is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care. We believe in the potential of our children, families, and staff, and we are ambitious for their futures.
What We Are Looking For
Are you a highly motivated individual with a passion for making a difference? We are seeking a Fostering Engagement Officer to join our established Enquiries Team. In this pivotal role, you will be the first point of contact for individuals interested in becoming foster carers, guiding them through their initial steps in the process.
With your friendly and confident telephone manner, you will connect with individuals through calls and live chat. Your excellent verbal communication skills will help you stay calm and professional under pressure, allowing you to listen attentively and build strong relationships. Your self-motivation and lively approach will enable you to identify opportunities and create effective solutions, ensuring every individual feels supported and valued.
Key Responsibilities
* Respond to all enquiries while building rapport with potential foster carers.
* Make proactive outbound contact via phone calls, emails, and texts to engage applicants.
* Conduct initial screening calls and highlight applicants' transferable skills.
* Guide applicants through the benefits of fostering with the Polaris Group.
* Support applicants through the first steps of the fostering recruitment process.
* Provide further information and respond to queries promptly.
* Build strong, trusting relationships through empathetic and supportive communication.
* Navigate sensitive topics and challenging conversations with professionalism and care.
* Promote virtual information events and monitor attendance.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on the CRM system.
* Complete daily administrative tasks to support the enquiries and recruitment team.
* Multi-task and prioritize workload effectively in a fast-paced environment.
* Work flexibly to meet business needs, including one evening per week.
What You Bring
* Prior knowledge of fostering, the fostering sector, and/or the standard foster carer recruitment process is advantageous.
* Experience working within a customer service environment is a plus.
Working Conditions & Benefits
We offer a supportive and dynamic work environment with:
* 30 days' Annual Leave (rising to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays.
* Company Pension and Life Assurance.
* Employee Discount Scheme.
* Free On-Site Parking.
At Polaris, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Please note that the successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check.
Join us in making a difference in the lives of children and families. We can't wait to meet you!