Referrals Officer - Fostering

Join Our Family at Foster Care Associates!

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! We are looking for a Referrals Officer to join our dedicated team in Belfast.

About Us

Founded in 1994 by a former foster parent and social worker, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is a leading fostering agency that is part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's largest networks of children's service providers. Our mission is simple yet profound: "to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families, and communities."

With a strong reputation for excellence, we offer a wide range of services to support looked-after children. At FCA, we believe in the power of family, and we are committed to providing unwavering support to every child and foster parent, every minute of the day.

Your Role as a Referrals Officer

As a Referrals Officer, you will play a crucial role in managing referrals from Health and Social Care Trusts. Your responsibilities will include:

• Carefully matching placements according to children's needs using key information and matching criteria.
• Being the first point of contact for Health and Social Care Trusts, foster families, and Social Workers.
• Building positive relationships with colleagues and communicating confidently with professionals at all levels.
• Finding creative solutions to foster placement requests while working independently and using your initiative.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who:

• Has experience in the children's services sector or a similar field.
• Can demonstrate strong administration skills and the ability to follow regulatory policies and processes.
• Thrives in a fast-paced team environment.

Don’t worry if you’re new to this role; full training will be provided!

Working Conditions

This is a Permanent Part-Time position, offering 25 hours per week. Your working days will typically be Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with flexibility for other days.

Compensation and Benefits

We value our team members and offer a competitive salary of £16,806.83 per annum (equivalent to £23,529.57 FTE). Our benefits include:

• 30 days of Annual Leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays (pro rata).
• Company Pension.
• Life Assurance (x2).
• Employee Discount Scheme.
• Medical Cash Plan & Free Parking.

Why Join Us?

At FCA, you will be part of a supportive family of independent fostering agencies, all working towards a shared vision: to provide children who have faced challenges with the support they need to build a brighter future. Join us in creating a close network of support for our Foster Parents, who become like a second family.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply! We can’t wait to welcome you to our FCA family.

Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus. Please note that the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced AccessNI check.