Recruitment Training and Support Officer (Fostering)

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK. Please note that this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for a period of 24 months. Interviews: 11th September. Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row. Children and Families is recognised as a service where social work can thrive and flourish, underpinned by a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion. We are committed to promoting the development, wellbeing and safety of children, young people and their families, protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working in partnership with colleagues, communities and agencies, we deliver a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions that build resilience, remove barriers and empower children and young people to achieve positive outcomes and look forward to a brighter future. The Recruitment, Training and Support Officer will support the recruitment and training activity for Essex foster carers undertaken by the Fostering Recruitment team. Responsible for planning, promoting and supporting the delivery of recruitment in-information events and training both virtual and in person, undertaking direct work with birth children in the family home. This exciting role offers the opportunity to undertake partnership work with businesses and agencies in the community to support the recruitment of local foster carers. Accountabilities

• Responsible for working closely with qualified social workers within the Fostering Service to plan, promote and deliver recruitment activity and training events to support perspective foster carers.
• Involved in managing the logistical aspects of activity and event organisation, including marketing, communications and securing appropriate venues. Coordinate and provide administrative and practical support for Drop in-information recruitment events and training for fostering families.
• Build strong, effective relationships with internal comms team and external venues, agencies, businesses and providers, to promote and obtain best value for recruitment and training events and support to foster carers.
• Undertake direct work with birth children of the perspective foster carers, obtaining their views, wishes and feelings, completing the necessary report to include within the assessment.
• The ability to work to a trauma informed therapeutic model, training will be provided.
• Deliver pre-approval training courses alongside social workers, using pre-developed material, for perspective foster carers. Provide information and advice and translate social work terminology, ensuring clarity and understanding.
• Coordinate and support at foster carer buddy support groups and Ambassador events.
• Record work and activity in accordance with Children and Families policies and procedures, including case records on Mosaic.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism which contribute to the level of confidence in Children's Social Care. Be self-motivated/ Be able to work on your own initiative.
  
  Educated to RQF 3 level (A Level/NVQ/BTEC) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Experience of building strong, effective relationships with children and families, delivering training and facilitating group sessions
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong partnerships which are influential and collaborative in their nature, to deliver joint outcomes.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to coordinate projects and manage logistical demands.
• Be able to think creatively about ways to engage contacts.
• Knowledge and understanding of marketing with the ability to promote events and attract potential applicants using social media.
• Knowledge of Children's Act 1989 and 2004 and other legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings. Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 - National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011 (NMS).
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to negotiate best value solutions ensuring continuous service delivery, in a financially sustainable environment.
  
  As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our . Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone. Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.