Fostering Recruitment Officer

Fixed-term appointments for 18 months to 2 years, with part-time and full-time opportunities available. The role includes some weekend working and participation in a duty rota to respond to evening enquiries. Your experience, insight and ability to connect with people could help more children across the Black Country find safe, stable and loving homes. We are looking for Fostering Recruitment Officers to guide prospective foster carers through the first steps of a life-changing journey. The Black Country Fostering Hub brings together Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell Children's Trust to recruit and support more local foster carers. By combining regional reach with local knowledge and support, we aim to increase the number and diversity of fostering households so that more children can live close to their families, schools and communities. As a Fostering Recruitment Officer, you will help prospective foster carers take their first steps towards providing a safe, stable and loving home. From the first phone call or conversation, you will be a trusted and consistent point of contact for prospective foster carers. You will listen to what is motivating them, answer questions, visit them at home, support their preparation and training, and coordinate each next step through to the start of assessment. Working closely with colleagues across the four partner authorities, you will help every prospective foster carer receive a warm, timely and well-organised experience. We welcome people who can build trust, listen well and help others make informed decisions. You may bring experience from fostering, social care, recruitment, community engagement, training or another people-focused setting. What matters is your ability to combine empathy with sound judgement, organisation and a clear focus on the needs of children. You will also use feedback and performance information to improve the recruitment journey and help shape this new regional service. We would be delighted to hear from applicants of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of fostering who want to use their insight to support others and improve outcomes for children., As a Fostering Recruitment Officer, you will:

• Respond quickly to enquiries and help each person take the right next step.
• Build local connections and attract a diverse range of prospective foster carers.
• Guide applicants through a smooth, supportive and timely journey.
• Keep accurate records and use insight to improve results.
• Bring fresh ideas to recruitment activity and events.
• Apply fostering requirements consistently and keep children at the heart of every decision.
What we offer In return, you'll join a supportive and ambitious regional team committed to improving outcomes for children and young people. We offer:
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• A designated base at Walsall Civic Centre.
• Learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• The opportunity to help shape a new regional service from the ground up.
• A role where your work will have a direct and lasting impact on children, families and communities across the Black Country.
Some travel across the Black Country and occasional evening or weekend work may be required, depending on the role, to support recruitment activity, campaigns and events.

At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole - particularly your 'Supporting Information' - reflects your own voice., Walsall Council's Children's Services are the only Ofsted 'Outstanding' local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council's journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children's services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.