OR108554 – Recruitment Support Officer

Job Summary:
As a Fostering Recruitment Support Officer, you will play a key role in helping to recruit and support new foster carers for Cardiff’s fostering service. Acting as the first point of contact for people interested in fostering, you will provide a friendly, approachable, and informative service, answering questions, offering guidance, and helping potential foster carers understand the fostering journey. You will use your knowledge of children’s services and the local community to build trust, encourage enquiries, and support more children to have the opportunity to live in a safe, stable family environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the main point of contact for prospective foster carers, providing advice, guidance, and support throughout the initial enquiry process.
• Respond to fostering enquiries professionally, providing clear information and explaining the fostering process in an accessible way.
• Conduct initial visits and home visits with potential foster carers to gather information and assess suitability.
• Support the fostering team in progressing applications efficiently and in line with procedures and best practice.
• Maintain accurate records and manage information relating to fostering enquiries and applications.
• Support local fostering recruitment campaigns, events, and community engagement activities to raise awareness of fostering.
• Build positive relationships with potential foster carers, existing carers, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Support the retention and ongoing engagement of foster carers within the service.
• Promote the benefits of fostering and encourage more local families to consider providing care for children and young people.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience working with children, young people, families, or within social care services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to explain complex information clearly and sensitively without using jargon.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage enquiries, records, and competing priorities.
• Experience of working independently and as part of a wider team.
• Understanding of the needs of children in care and the importance of stable family placements.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience within fostering, social services, childcare, or family support.
• Experience as a foster carer, care-experienced individual, or member of a fostering family.
• Knowledge of local communities and services.

Key Attributes:
You will be a warm, approachable, and confident individual who can build strong relationships and inspire people to consider fostering. You will be passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people and will provide a supportive, professional service that helps potential foster carers begin their journey.