• Flexible working available, using a hybrid model - working from home and your contracted work base.
• Required to work evenings and weekends as part of a duty rota system, including rapid response overnight provision.
• 28 days annual leave.
• This is a key role within the Somerset Mockingbird Constellation, working in collaboration with the Hub Home Carer to develop a programme of meetings, training and reporting.
• 2 year secondment/fixed term opportunity.

What is Mockingbird?

Mockingbird is a global award-winning programme led by The Fostering Network in the UK. It delivers sustainable foster care. The Mockingbird programme is an alternative method of delivering foster care which centres on the idea of an extended network of family support.

Mockingbird: A really big family: Animation (3:30)

What is Mockingbird: Video (8:32)

We’re working to improve the lives of children and young people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• undertaking regular contact with the Hub Home Carer providing support for the constellation reporting to the Mockingbird Steering Group.
• working in collaboration with the Hub Home Carer to develop a programme of meetings, training and reporting.
• regularly participating in the Mockingbird programme activities and social events, including assisting the Hub Home Carer in coordinating activities and training, arranging, or providing transport and assisting with the coordination of monthly constellation meetings.
• nurturing and supporting the relationships between Satellite carers in the constellation.
• ensuring Hub Home Carer take time away from their role to avoid burn out.
• arranging or providing transport to enable foster carer families to attend events.
• working with the Hub Home Carer to ensure Constellation activities reflect the Mockingbird principles, engaging children, and young people in these processes.
• supporting the learning and development needs of the Hub Home Carer and constellation carers by enabling the Hub Home Carer to access training from the Fostering Service where possible.
• ensuring Foster children and Fosters Carers and their birth children are consulted in the programme activities and events to ensure their voices are heard and outcomes are monitored and promoted.
• continuing to develop and support the Participation Programme with young people to enhance the development of the Fostering Service
• coordinating and leading the participation meeting with young people.
• providing information to the fostering service to regard to out of school activities, club, activities, and educational projects within local communities for all ages would benefit from and access.
• developing projects and events that engage young people to enhance life opportunities though qualifications, work, and career experience.

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be.

You will need a good standard of education with at least 5 GCSEs at A-C/Level 4-9 or equivalent.

It would also be helpful if you have:

• A levels or other relevant Level 4 Qualification.
• Possession of an appropriate qualification in working with carers and parents such as City and Guilds Work with Carers/Parents Level 3 or equivalent.
• Evidence of CPD commitment to own learning and development.
• Safeguarding/child protection training.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.

The salary range for this role is £26,421 to £29,777 per annum.

You will need to be able to travel countywide, including travel outside standard work hours and to areas that are not currently serviced by public transport.

For further information or an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact:

Suzanne Sullivan (Weller), Team Manager for West Fostering, suzanne.sullivan@somerset.gov.uk or if not available

Matthew Randles, Strategic operations manager, Fostering: matthew.randles@somerset.gov.uk

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.