The Fostering Network
Every child. Every carer. Every day
Job Description
Job title / Programme Officer, Kinship Care SupportAccountable to / Director
Objectives / To establish, develop and co-ordinate kinship supports for children and young people in kinship families in NI
Hours / 28 hours per week
Location / The Fostering Network Offices, Belfast
Status / This is a fixed term contract funded until February 2020
Requirement
Does the post involve contact with children/young people / Yes
Access NI Disclosure required / Yes
Responsibilities
1. To develop and deliver a programme of training and personal development activities for foster carers, kinship carers and children and young people to meet the aims of the project.
2. To develop and deliver accredited vocational and life skills training that will support the personal development of young people in foster and kinship care.
3. To be aware of the targets and outcomes required by the project and ensure that there are mechanisms in place to collate, monitor and evidence their achievement.
4. To establish and build relationships with children and young people living in kinship families in order to design and deliver programmes of positive activities that will contribute to meeting the identified needs of the project and young people
5. Work within a family context to help develop kinship carers confidence by identifying any gaps in their knowledge and skills and assist/enable them to access appropriate training to assist them in ensuring best outcomes for children.
6. To deliver programmes of activity with children and young people facilitating their active participation in its planning and development.
7. To hold, manage and be responsible for such budgets as may be delegated, including monitoring expenditure against budgets set.
8. To establish productive working relations both within the wider team in Northern Ireland and with other Fostering Network colleagues.
9. Develop effective working relationships with key stakeholders including Health and Social Care Trusts, youth services and other organisations, liaising with them as required.
10. Promotion the scheme to foster carers, children and young people in foster care and a range of professionals who support young people in kinship care.
11. Ensure the success of the Project by ensuring it meets its set targets and effectively evaluating its outcomes.
12. To ensure young people in the scheme are appropriately safeguarded and that child protection policies and procedures are implemented within organisational policies and in line with Co-operating to Safeguard
13. To facilitate effective operational activity by providing and disseminating information.
14. To represent the project externally as required in agreement with the Director
15. To assist in the organisation of meetings and training events including liaison with individuals and organisations.
16. Undertake such other responsibilities as directed by the Director for Northern Ireland.
17. To be cognisant of the Regional Child Protection policies and procedures. To be aware of the requirements for reporting and recording
18. To report as required to the Director , the Steering Group and to the Big Lottery on operational activity
19. Maintain personal and professional development
20. To represent the organisation externally as required
21. Undertake any other responsibilities as directed by the Director for Northern Ireland.
22. To work collaboratively with other Fostering Network colleagues across the UK.
Additional duties
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.
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:-
· Passionate
· Leading
· Catalyst for change
· Collaborative
Programme Officer, Kinship Care Support
Person Specification
Important note
Candidates are assessed on their ability to meet the criteria listed in the person specification.
It is essential that you refer to the person specification below and demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria listed when completing the application form.
Experience
Essential
1. / Third level qualification in youth work or community work or equivalent.2. / At least two years of significant experience working within a community context to provide activities and resources to families.
3. / Knowledge and experience of developing, providing and delivering programmes training, information and support to children and young people, to vulnerable individuals and/or groups.
4. / Experience of project co-ordination including the use of computers to gather and analyse project and evaluation data together with a working knowledge of
Microsoft Office software
5. / Knowledge and experience of encouraging the engagement and participation of vulnerable families in accessing support services for the benefit of looked after children.
6. / Experience of handling confidential information in a professional manner
7. / Experience of supporting or representing others and accessing services on their behalf
Desirable
8. / Knowledge of foster care services and issues relating to looked after childrenSkills and Abilities
Essential
9. / Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
10. / Self-motivated with the ability to, prioritise, plan and undertake work in an effective manner, with the minimum of supervision
11. / Proven ability to work effectively within a team by demonstrating cooperation and flexibility.
12. / Proven ability to network with others and be influential on behalf of foster and kinship carers, as well as children and young people in care.
13. / Ability to exercise sound judgement.
14. / Proven ability to work with children and their carers in a sensitive and empathetic manner.
16. / Good computer skills and experience of word processing
17. / Ability to develop and deliver an accredited programme of training.
18. / Ability to work effectively with groups of vulnerable young people
19. / Willingness to travel throughout Northern Ireland.
20. / This post requires travel, applicants should have access to a car and a full driving licence
21. / Ability to work outside of normal working hours if and when required.
Programme Officer, Kinship Care Support
Additional Information
Pay and conditions of service
Grade / The Fostering Network Band 3 – salary points 26-32Salary / £23,720 - £ 28,884 (pro rata)
Annual Leave / 25 Days plus 5 Fostering Network days.
Probationary period / 6 calendar months.
Notice period / Four working weeks
One week during probationary period.
Hours of work / 28 per week
Pension / Optional. Money-purchase scheme and salary sacrifice option is available with Aegon:
Employee’s contribution 3%, employer’s contribution 5% of
gross salary.
Available to staff with contracts of over 3 months.
Season Ticket Loan / An interest free season ticket loan is available to all staff immediately.
Trade Union / The Fostering Network recognises the trades union Unite
and members of staff can join if they wish
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