Fostering team – Training, Recruitment and Support Officer

Permanent, Full Time

£26,284 to £33,256 per annum

Location:

Countywide

Closing Date: 23rd October 2026

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.

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 for Fostering 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 fostering recruitment in-information events and training both virtual and in person. Also undertaking direct work with birth children of prospective foster carers in the family home to gain their view and wishes.

An important part of this exciting role includes the opportunity to be pro‑active in undertaking partnership work with businesses and agencies in the community to support the recruitment of local foster carers.

• 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…