Programme Officer Fostering Kinship Support

We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving the lives, experiences and outcomes for children and young people, and their carers and families. 
The successful candidate will hold a third level qualification in youth work, sociology, psychology, community work, social work or equivalent, and will have a minimum of one year’s experience actively supporting children and young people.
They will need to demonstrate knowledge and experience of encouraging the engagement and participation of children and young people and demonstrate the ability to work in a trauma-informed setting, with a solution focused approach. 

What you’ll be doing

Fostering Kinship Support takes a trauma-informed, innovative approach to supporting kinship fostering families. The key outcomes of this programme are improved family relationships, greater connectedness, supported placements, increased wellbeing and ultimately improved outcomes for children and families. Funding from the National Lottery Community Fund enables The Fostering Network to coproduce an effective service that is truly informed and shaped by the needs and wishes of kinship fostering families.

The Programme Officer will work with the Fostering Kinship Support Co-ordinator to support children, young people, kinship foster carers and the wider kinship family group  through delivery of training, nurture-based activities, learning programmes and family activities. Fostering Kinship Support is a regional programme, and as such  the post-holder  will work across Northern Ireland, collaborating with voluntary and statutory agencies to embed and develop the programme. The Project worker will work to  develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, encourage participation and support quality delivery of the programme in line with project aims and objectives.

At this point, we hope you feel excited about the job description you’re reading. Even if you don't feel that you meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply.

What we can offer you
•    38 days leave (including bank holidays)
•    A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
•    Flexible and hybrid working
•    Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
•    Enhanced sick pay
•    24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
•    Pension and life assurance
•    Contribution to eye tests and lenses
•    Season ticket loans

Our commitments to you

The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit.

•    If you identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant
•    If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process
•    We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share