Fostering Recruitment Worker

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry's children. As a 'Good' Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice. 

Be part of our inspiring team, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry's children. Together, let's create a nurturing environment where every child's potential can flourish.

What is the job role?

Coventry City Council has been investing in its Fostering Service for several years and has seen both numerical growth and significant improvement in practice as a result.  More than half of our children in care are now cared for by a carer approved by Coventry.  There has been investment both in our mainstream fostering teams and in ensuring that wherever possible children can remain living with their extended network via a connected persons arrangement.  The service has a commitment to working closely with our foster carers and with children’s social work teams to ensure that fostered children are well cared for and achieve best outcomes. We are committed to continuing these developments by building on these strengths.

Within this, the Recruitment and Assessment Team has responsibility for the recruitment and assessment of a range of fostering applicants.  The team includes a recruitment hub that assists in generating enquiries to become a foster carer, following up on enquiries, and undertakes initial visits prior to applicants progressing to a full assessment.  

The successful applicant will work as part of the recruitment team to undertake fostering marketing and recruitment activities including social media and will act as a first point of contact from prospective foster carers. In addition, they will undertake home visits, report on the outcome of these visits, initiate relevant checks and references, assist in the delivering of foster carer training programs and support fostering events. 

Please see job description for full details on Job Purpose and Main Duties and Responsibilities.

This is a maternity cover, fixed term contract for 12 months.   

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

Applications are welcomed from those with either a marketing / social media background or transferable skills who has an interest in recruiting a range of fostering applicants to make a positive difference for children or those with a social care background who are interested in recruiting, assessing and supporting prospective foster carers through their journey. Effective verbal and written communication skills will be essential as will a passion for excellence in service delivery. 

Our workforce data shows that men and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are under-represented within the Fostering team and encourage applicants from these backgrounds to apply.  This does not prevent individuals with other protected characteristics as set out within the Equality Act 2010 from applying for this post.  

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Zelma van Rhyn – Zelma.vanrhyn@coventry.gov.uk

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date:  19th July 2024

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council