Training Officer - Fostering Team

Job Introduction

Children's Services 

Lincoln base– Countywide team

£32,597- £35,412, pro-rata

Secondment opportunity- 2-year fixed term contract

Part time 22.2 hours (3 days a week)

At Lincolnshire County Council, we are committed to delivering outstanding social care for children, young people, and families. Our ambition drives innovation, and we are proud to be recognised as an Ofsted-rated Outstanding authority. In 2023, we were selected by the Department for Education as one of three national Families First for Children Pathfinder Authorities, under the government’s strategy “Stable Homes, Built on Love.”

As part of our Children in Care Transformation Programme, we are launching a pioneering 2-year pilot to recruit and support a cohort of highly skilled foster carers specialising in caring for teenagers. This initiative aims to ensure more Lincolnshire children can thrive in nurturing foster families when they cannot remain within their own family networks.

We are now seeking a passionate and experienced Fostering Training Officer to join our dedicated team and help shape the future of fostering in Lincolnshire.

Your Role

As a Training Officer within our Fostering Service, you will:

• Work with your practice supervisor and multi-agency partners to develop an enhanced training pathway for foster carers. Work collaboratively across children’s services and with multi-agency professionals, to co-create the training pathway.
• Once established, review the training pathway every 6 months and tailor this to the needs of the service and service users.
• Consistently seek to improve our training offer to foster carers by using approved tools and resources to update the training offer.
• Provide support and advice to practitioners who are directly supporting foster carers with their personal development plans.
• Deliver training to foster carers and staff.
• Consult with the foster carer forum to understand their training needs and expectations.
• Consult with the children in care council to determine what training they feel should be facilitated for foster carers.
• Keep up to date with themes, events and concerns, and tailor training packages in response to these.
• Take the lead role in booking training, venues, managing payments and other organisational duties relating to this.
• Review, acknowledge and store foster carer TSD’s and training records.
• Issue certificates for foster carer training.
• Support the recruitment strategy and attend recruitment events for prospective foster carers.
• Support the strategy to retain foster carers by ensuring a tailored, high specific training pathway is implemented and delivered throughout the year.
• Have a thorough understanding of safeguarding procedures and share concerns with your line manager in accordance with them.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of trauma, loss, separation, and child development, especially the impact of these upon teenagers.
• Attend planned and flexible group supervision for the pilot team. You will also receive forensic supervision from the clinical psychologist.

What We Offer

• A balanced workload and a supportive working environment.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working.
• Monthly supervision and access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• A collaborative team of 2 team managers, 7 practice supervisors and over 25 qualified social workers, alongside placement support workers, child and family officers, and apprentice social workers.
• A dedicated practice supervisor to support you.
• Regular input from clinical psychology and collaboration with multi-agency partners.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking, innovative authority that is shaping the future of fostering. You’ll be supported to develop your leadership skills, build strong relationships, share best practice, and grow professionally in a role that truly makes a difference.

About you 

• Have experience supporting children and families, or foster carers.
• Work experience with children and families and an in-depth knowledge of safeguarding procedures. 
• A confident facilitator who can present to groups of various sizes.
• An excellent communicator who builds strong working relationships with colleagues, families and external agencies. 
• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent written and analytical skills. 
• Respect the dignity and diversity of the people you’re working with.
• Understand and respond to people’s unique needs and aspirations.
• Uphold human rights and social justice.
• Have professional curiosity.
• Demonstrate good IT literacy and adept at using Microsoft Office applications, as well as mosaic. 
• Above all, someone who wants to achieve the best possible result for each and every child. 

In return, we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, continuous professional development and career progression. You will have a thorough induction, regular personal and case supervision.  

We are offering a competitive salary of £32,597- £35,412 pro-rata, along with an extensive benefits package, details of which can be found in rewards and benefits brochure and many areas for professional support and development. 

If this sounds like the role for you, then please read through the full Job Description, to support you to complete the best application possible, before clicking apply!  If you would like to know more about Lincolnshire County Council and our current vacancies, then click the following link: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk .  

If you would like an open and informal discussion regarding the role then please email Fostering North Team Manager Emily McAllister on Emily.McAllister@lincolnshire.gov.uk 

Interviews will be held on 12th January.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.