The Role We are seeking a dedicated Marketing and Recruitment Officer to join our Fostering Service. The Fostering Service are responsible for the recruitment and retention of foster carers. About this role: Working to recruit high quality foster carers and to be the first point of contact for initial enquiries from the South West Recruitment Hub, providing an initial response to them and to the enquirers. To assist in the development of a strategy for recruiting carers and supported lodgings hosts who want to support children in care. Co-ordinating a timetable for the recruitment strategy, and preparation of applicants for pre-approval training and assessment. We need someone who is passionate about recruitment, is able to converse confidently and has the ability to build positive relationships. Key Responsibilities: Research, analyse and evaluate information which may include legislative and regulatory areas to enhance recruitment campaigns. Provide good technical advice to customers ensuring that procedures and good practice are shared. Support the delivery of designated areas of work by co-ordinating day to day operations and contribute to developing projects and processes. Ensure potential carers are well informed and that information provided is useful, relevant and given on time, with awareness of General Data Protection Requirements. Maintain high quality and consistent services to potential carers. Ownership is taken for responding to and/or resolving queries, complaints and requests from initial contact with the potential carers. Provide an effective service ensuring that documents are prepared and issued and where appropriate returns are received and analysed. Contribute both to the monitoring of projects and reporting on cost effectiveness and quality standards and to the establishing, implementing and reviewing service standards and performance measures. Compiling a marketing and recruitment strategy for the financial year. Ensure that accurate records are developed and maintained, and that this information is assessed and analysed. Establish good working relationships with potential carers which will lead to strong standards being established and developed at all levels. Completing initial home visits to potential carers/supported lodgings hosts, identifying whether they have the capacity to move forward. Organising and attending recruitment events – sometimes out of hours and at weekends. Communicate changes in policy and working practice to keep potential carers up to date and ensure all procedures and systems are updated accordingly. Promote private fostering alongside fostering and supported lodgings, contributing to the public’s awareness. Updating social media on a regular basis as part of our recruitment campaigns. Working with partnership organisations as a way of recruiting potential foster carers – encouraging organisations to become fostering friendly and having a presence in their establishment. This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Valid driving licence and own transport is an essential condition for this role. About You We are looking for an individual who is passionate about using their marketing expertise to recruit foster carers, and who possesses the following skills and experience: Essential Criteria: You will have well developed interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships and engage successfully with contacts and customers. Experience of working flexibly within a team and across different areas of activity. Good numeracy, literacy, report writing, presentation and excellent IT skills including a strong knowledge of social media campaigns. Able to undertake effective research and present findings in a clear, concise format. Demonstrable experience of meeting service standards, targets and deadlines. Good level of general IT skills and the ability to use appropriate specialist in-house software packages. Knowledge of associated areas relevant to fostering and adoption. Experience of interviewing by telephone and face to face. Desirable Criteria: You will hold or be working towards a relevant professional/technical qualification. Have a good understanding of local government and will have worked in a similar service area How to Apply If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Contact Information For further information about the role, please contact Katie Bailey, Fostering Service Lead, at katie.bailey@n-somerset.gov.uk.. Location : Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset