Job Description

Mockingbird Implementation Coach (Sessional)

Job title / Mockingbird Implementation Coach (Sessional)
Accountable to / Mockingbird Implementation Manager
Objectives / To support the implementation process of The Fostering Network’s Mockingbird programme in a Local Authority, Trust or Independent Fostering Service.
Hours per week / Variable
Salary / £25.50 per hour
Location / Working from home.
We are aiming to build a network of coaches around the UK and will aim to match coaches to near-by services whenever possible – but some travel will be required.
Status / Sessional
Disclosure required?
(The post involves contact with children and/or access to confidential information about children and families) / No

Responsibilities and accountabilities

Protecting model fidelity and quality

  1. Develop a full understanding of the Mockingbird implementation process and fidelity criteria – and work to ensure that your service is adhering to both:
  • Attend Mockingbird Implementation Coach training organised by The Fostering Network
  • Engage in learning opportunities provided by The Fostering Network
  • Commit to research and self-directed study to increase understanding of the Mockingbird Family Model

Being a coach and a champion

  1. Develop a supportive coaching relationship with the named Mockingbird coordinator. Providing them with information, guidance and support to enable them to lead their organisation through the Mockingbird implementation process.
  1. Attend regular implementation working groups. Primarily providing support and guidance for the Mockingbird coordinator – but also identifying needs of the wider group and providing guidance around implementation and model fidelity.
  1. Be a champion for the Mockingbird model and The Fostering Network – promoting the programme and supporting the local team to embed understanding and commitment across the organisation.

Providing enquiry and challenge

  1. Provide enquiry and challenge to the local Mockingbird coordinator. Offer guidance and support to the coordinator and wider service to ensure that the Mockingbird implementation process is being fully explored and followed and to increase likelihood of whole organisation buy-in and long term sustainability.
  1. Encourage a useful level of system review and challenge to enable cultural and systemic changes that will help embed the Mockingbird approach across the all levels of the organisation.

Providing feedback and learning

  1. Reporting back to the Mockingbird Implementation Manager on progress and challenges within the service’s implementation process.
  1. Being an active member of the Mockingbird coaches community:
  • Participating in coaches calls and learning events
  • Sharing ideas with the central programme team coaches group
  • Sharing resources developed in the course of your work to support the ongoing development of the Mockingbird programme
  1. Completing timesheets, expenses and reports on a regular basis as required by the programme.

Management

There is no line management responsibility in this post.

Budget

There is no budget management responsibility in this post.

General statement

It is the nature of The Fostering Network that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises and undertake tasks that are not specifically covered in their job description.

Person Specification

Our Values

As an organisation, we believe that we make a difference to foster care and our people values are expressed in the work that we do:

We are TRUSTED

We are TOGETHER

We are VITAL

Mockingbird Implementation Coaches will also need to demonstrate:

  • Commitment to, and passion around, promoting the best interests of children and young people.
  • Commitment to promoting equality and diversity and tackling discrimination.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • An understanding of the fostering sector
  • Previous experience of working in a coaching, training or independent consultant capacity

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working with looked after children, foster carers and fostering services.
  • Previous experience of project management

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Excellent inter-personal skills, with the ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with both individuals and teams.
  • Highly organised, with ability to manage diaries, prioritise, plan and deliver work within agreed timeframes and to a high standards.
  • Self-motivated and driven, with an ability to work independently and cooperatively.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Able to present information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to take on the role of a ‘critical friend’. Able to take on an enquiring approach and provide challenge and support in equal measures.
  • Able to use initiative to proactively respond to queries, solve problems and resolve issues which arise.
  • High levels of IT literacy
  • Ability to work flexibly – reacting to needs and challenges as they arise.
  • Positive, pragmatic, problem-solving attitude with a flexible and creative approach to achieving programme outcomes to a high standard.

Qualifications (Professional, Technical)

Desirable

  • A qualification in Social Work or a background and working experience of a related field.
  • Project management training/qualifications or equivalent

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Mockingbird Implementation Coach

Version: 1

Date: February 2018