Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child?
Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fixing what needs fixing, together.
This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The role is an Advanced Social Work post. The successful candidate will be working alongside the Panel and Assessment Manager to ensure a robust pipeline of foster carers within the Compass Fostering service. As an AP you will support the organisation in ensuring that the service is run in line with the Government Legislation, Regulations and Standards together with the Inspecting Body in order to recruit quality foster carers to care for children in need. You will represent Compass Fostering Vision and Values and the Compass Foster Carer Recruitment Strategy, providing a comprehensive and flexible panel & assessment service to all stakeholders.
Candidates will be required to work confidently with online platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Candidates will be expected to travel to Compass Central's office twice a month for in person meetings, and on at least a quarterly basis to network meetings in the West Midlands as well as other occasional travel as required by the role.
Candidates must have experience of quality assurance, and fostering assessments. The role of Advanced Practitioner is also a key driver of our programme of development and support for our network of Independent Assessors. Candidates should be confident in developing workshops, giving long-arm quality assurance feed back and running training sessions as well as holding advice clinics. The role also supports the work of foster panel and candidates must have the confidence, insight into Fostering National Minimum Standards and experience to act as panel advisor when required.
Candidates will also need to be confident and well practised in identifying, responding to and acting on child safeguarding concerns as well as intervening to ensure that applicants and foster carers are assessed robustly, fairly and to a high standard.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Support in the recruitment, assessment, and approval of foster carers
• To deliver a quality assessment service to the Agency
• Contribute to the growth & development of the business.
• Lead on identified projects and developments for the panel and assessment service.
• Have a clear knowledge of the Compass Fostering Recruitment strategy and policies and documents associated with this.
Skills, qualifications and/or experience required: (Please refer to Job description for specific duties)
• Candidates must have a Degree in Social Work.
• Experience in Fostering or assessments is preferable.
WHY WORK FOR COMPASS FOSTERING?
• Career Development – We offer many career paths, recognising hard work & supporting you into senior roles.
• Competitive Salary – using structured pay grades based on your training and experience.
• Travel Package – 45 pence per mile with an additional Car allowance of £100 per month for the upkeep of your vehicle
• Wellbeing – Access to therapeutic wellbeing sessions with our Therapeutic Services team.
• Bonuses – receive £200 service award on your two-year anniversary, plus up to £500 special recognition service for outstanding practice.
• Awards – The chance to win up to £150 in vouchers every month from our REACH Awards.
• MediCash - Cashback for various medical appointments & treatments with MediCash.
• Life Assurance Scheme – 3 x annual salary after successful completion of your probation review.
• Increased Holiday – 27 days increasing gradually to 30 days after 4 years’ service.
The recruitment process aims to create and maintain a safe workforce and contains robust vetting procedures.
The successful applicants will be appointed subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
Compass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.
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