Fostering Support Worker

We are looking to recruit a Fostering Support Worker working closely with the supervising social workers, local authorities and other professionals to support foster placements. Salar The role will involve:

• Planning and implementing appropriate activities to meet the individual needs of looked after children
• Running support groups, both for looked after children and birth children
• Providing support sessions during the day, evenings or weekends
• Transporting young people to activities and appointments and supervising family contact sessions
  
  Experience of working with children and young people in a paid or voluntary capacity
• Experience of administrative work including data entry and report writing
• Ability to work with challenging behaviour and resolve conflict
• Ability to maintain personal and professional boundaries
• Good communication and administrative skills and the ability to build and sustain sound professional relationships
  
  Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.
St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home., Founded in 1870, St Christopher's Fellowship has provided care for vulnerable children and young people for over 140 years. Drawing on our broad experience, we help build brighter futures for young people across the UK and in the Isle of Man. Through our children's homes and fostering services we are able to provide stable, effective placements for young people, providing them with a safe, caring community in which they can learn to build positive relationships. We also work in partnership with local authorities to offer accomodation for 16 to 25 year-olds, supporting them to develop emotional and practical skills and so easing their transition into adult life. The principles of social pedagogy shape our philosophy of care. Put simply, this is a holistic approach that centres around building positive relationships with young people to bring out their full potential or "their diamond". We use the "heads, hearts, hands" principles which stress the importance of relationships, respect and reflection. Our vision is to deliver excellence. To achieve this we seek to attract and retain the very best staff, and we are committed to creating a friendly, supportive work environment where your skills are developed and appreciated. Working for St Christopher's will be both challenging and rewarding; it will demand high standards of professionalism and teamwork, but will make a qualitative difference to the lives of vulnerable young people.


• Salary £22,449 per year, raising to £23,248 upon completion of probationary period and mandatory training.
• Competitive pay and reward structure offering salary progression based on performance.
• Tailored career development plan through our "St Christopher's Academy".
• A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years' service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Industry Leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children's right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and Social Pedagogy,
• Contributory pension scheme, Enhanced Maternity and Company Sick Scheme.
• BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.
• Discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
• Discretionary Funded Training Programs.
• Employee Awards based on performance and length of service.
Recruitment Process At St Christopher's we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.