Purpose of the post
•Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the centre of everything we do.
•Receive referrals to the Fostering Team from members of the public, foster parents and social workers in order to ensure effective service provision for children and their families.
•The main purpose of the post is to work as a line of contact when finding and searching for placements by following a specific process of risk assessment and matching children's needs.
•The post holder will also offer support over the telephone to foster parents when fostering social workers are not available.
Responsibility for functions
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Main duties
•To receive referrals, record in accordance with guidelines and respond to the referrals in accordance with service procedures.
•Record information about cases appropriately and inform the Team workers as is appropriate.
•Provide and find placements for children in need, either within the team's resources or resources provided by independent agencies.
•Contribute to the Local Authority's efforts to provide services for children in need in accordance with the Children Act 1989.
•Contribute to the high quality training standard of foster carers.
•Provide resources for training in family placement field.
•Attend relevant meetings.
•To be the team's main duty officer and provide advice and support to foster carers when their support officer is not available.
•Respond to requests for information from the public and other agencies regarding fostering.
•Work with other professional people to promote the welfare of children in need.
•Work within the statutory requirements and the departmental policies and guidance.
•Attend training and commit to professional development.
•Contribute to work to appraise quality.
•Receive regular supervision from the Team Manager or Senior Practitioner.
•Responsibility for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s equal opportunities and equality policies.
•Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management standards and guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
•Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•Willingness to work flexible hours including occasionally some evenings and weekends.
•Full driving licence
•This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Consequently, it will be necessary to ask the Criminal Records Office for a disclosure on successful applicants. The Council will provide the appropriate form to this end and will pay the associated fee. Further details will be provided regarding the process as required. It is expected that the successful applicant will register with Care Council Wales as required.