Fostering Family Support Worker

Fostering Family Support Worker, Full Time

Salary
: £27,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time hours) applications for job share and/or part-time hours will be considered.

Hours
: 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract. Working mainly after school and early evenings but there will be mornings. There will be some weekend work required.

Location
:
Home-based with extensive travel across Hampshire, West Berkshire, Wiltshire, Reading and surrounding areas (milage will be paid). A driving licence is required for this role together with business class vehicle insurance and access to a vehicle.

Reporting to
:
Fostering Service Manager

We offer a workplace that genuinely cares about people, both our staff and the young people we support. Alongside a meaningful role, you will receive:

• £27,000 per annum for 37.5 hours per week permanent contract.
• 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract. Working mainly after school and early evenings. There will be some weekend work required.
• Life assurance
• Casual and inclusive dress code
• Company pension (with award-winning Royal London)
• 24/7 access to a GP
• Training (training will be provided)
• Opportunity to gain a funded qualification after successful probation
• Health Cash Plan (cashback for dental and optical expenses, plus more)
• Employee Assistance Programmes

Step by Step Fostering is a not-for-profit fostering agency dedicated to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive foster homes for children and young people across South Central England. We are committed to helping children and young people thrive, reach their potential, and experience the stability and care they deserve.

Established in 2021 by the Step by Step charity, our fostering service builds on more than 35 years of experience supporting vulnerable young people. Approved by Ofsted, we provide foster placements for children and young people aged 0–18, including sibling groups and those with more complex needs.

As part of the Step by Step Partnership, we benefit from the expertise and resources of a charity that supports over 1,300 young people each year through accommodation, personal development opportunities, and specialist support services. This unique connection enables us to take a holistic approach to supporting children, young people, foster carers, and families.

Our team is passionate, professional, and dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare and expect all employees, foster carers, and volunteers to share this commitment.

Through compassion, expertise, and strong relationships, we help create positive futures for the children and young people in our care.

To provide practical, emotional and social support to foster carers and children and young people within fostering households. The post holder will help carers fulfil their fostering responsibilities by delivering respite support, supervising and transporting children, supporting parenting specifically PACE parenting, encouraging positive experiences, and promoting the safety, wellbeing and development of children who are looked after.

To provide Therapeutic PACE parenting (for which training will be given) and support with the delivery of training for foster carers.

The role also supports fostering recruitment activities, engaging with prospective foster carers representing the organisation at events across the region.

• Provide morning, daytime, evening and weekend respite support for foster carers.
• Transport children safely to school, appointments, activities and other agreed destinations.
• Collect children from school or foster homes where appropriate.
• Supervise and transport to family contact sessions as directed.
• Provide one-to‑one support sessions for children and young people in the community.
• Plan and participate in enjoyable, age‑appropriate activities based on the child's interests and needs.

• Assist foster carers in meeting the needs of children placed with them.
• Attend meetings alongside foster carers and contribute professional observations.
• Provide practical support during periods of increased need.
• Respond flexibly to…