Administrator

Administrator

Salary: £13,273.80 pro rata (£22,123 FTE)

Location: Hybrid- Sussex (with the expectation to be in the office- rota to be discussed with your line manager)

Specific Hours: 21 hours per week

About Us

Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years' of fostering experience and we're still going strong!

The founder members recognised that looked after children – especially those who’d had very difficult starts in life – needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that's what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.

Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what’s known as a ‘therapeutic approach’ to fostering and it’s something that we pioneered.

ISP is currently seeking an experienced Administrator to work alongside an established team specialising in the recruitment and review of foster parents.  The successful candidate will need to learn the various roles within the team so they can support colleagues at times of increased workloads.     

Main Responsibilities

• Administration and distribution of Annual Home Reviews and Form F Assessments, liaising with LA Social Workers and Independent Reviewing Social Workers.
• Take minutes at Panel Annual Home Review and End of Placement Meetings and prepare draft minutes and, after agreement by Chair, distribute accordingly.
• To cover reception, answering the phone, greeting visitors, taking messages and all associated tasks.
• DBS checks on all existing and prospective carers, their family members and support network.
• Obtaining references and medical checks and ensuring their regular updates.
• Prepare agendas for Foster Care Panels and Annual Home Reviews.
• Input additional information onto Form Fs, e.g. DBS data, medicals, review dates and training.
• Collate all information and send packs to Panel members/Annual Home Review Chairperson.
• Prepare Section 7 onwards of Resource File for each applicant.
• Produce letters and send Foster Carer Agreements to all successful applicants and yearly updates for existing Foster Carers.
• Make up and maintain Foster Carer files.
• Ensure that all Foster Carer information is kept up to date on Master Lists and Database.
• Responsible for co-ordinating training for the Centre.
• To provide Administrative support to the team.
• Perform any other tasks that may be required as directed by the Office Co-ordinator or Centre Manager.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Previous experience in line management is desirable but not essential
• Strong administration skills including excellent minute taking
• Excellent attention to detail
• Multitasking and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks
• Excellent oral and written communications skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and the ability to respond to difficult situations
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage own workload independently
• Able to build on good working relationships with professionals from various disciplines
• Passionate, professional, with a “can-do” attitude at all times

Benefits

• 30 days Annual Leave increasing to 35 days with length of service plus Bank Holidays
• Company Pension Scheme,
• Life Assurance x 2,
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Refer a friend scheme of £500 per successful placement 

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by ISP. 

ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

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