Join our innovative, creative and forward-thinking team and play a crucial role at one of the highest performing authorities for Children’s Services in the South East. If you want to achieve the best outcomes for young people, East Sussex is the place to be!
At the forefront of our success is the work of our Fostering Service which has consistently placed more children with in-house foster carers than our neighbouring authorities. We’ve achieved this by recognising the value of our LAC service and by delivering excellent integrated support. As a result, we have an enviable reputation for retention because our foster carers value the support, experience and knowledge we provide to the children in their care and to them.
How do we know we’re making a difference? Because that’s what young people and carers tell us.
Our Fostering Service delivers forward-thinking initiatives underpinned by national policy, so we’re looking for people who can help us take our services to the next level. Our approach is to deliver high impact social work which results in more children living with their families and less child protection plans.
Our Assessment and Recruitment Team is responsible for the recruitment, assessment and approval of all foster carers, some of whom may live outside of East Sussex Local Authority. You will be supporting the recruitment of all our applicants, ensuring that we approve good quality and appropriate foster carers, and undertaking all tasks in the recruitment of foster carers.
The role is a permanent 30 hours per week contract, subject to a period of probation. You will need to be able to demonstrate you’re a ble to meet the travelling requirements of the post.

Key tasks include:

• Following up enquiries
• Completing Q&A/screening calls and initial visits
• Facilitating pre-approval ‘Skills to Foster’ training
• Completing Form F PFCR assessments of prospective foster carers
• Presenting completed reports to fostering panel.
• To contribute to the development of the fostering service to ensure children are provided with a safe, caring environment, which minimises moves and which enables them to reach their full potential.
• To provide a quality service to children and families in need of fostering, in line with departmental policies and procedure and Fostering Service Legislation, Standards, Regulations and Guidance.
• To facilitate information events and attend both recruitment and retention events.
• To undertake some working out of office hours – assessment visits, pre-approval training and information/recruitment/retention events.
• Gathering and processing information into a clear, concise report with analysis that considers implications for fostering as well as strengths, vulnerabilities and risks.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Can engage effectively with potential foster carers and undertake assessment and analysis to a high standard.
• Have experience of working with children and young people.
• Have strong communication skills and the ability to have open and transparent discussions whilst managing sensitive information.
• Have strong assessment, analytical and report writing skills.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a supporting statement. We will be using your supporting statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.
Interviews will take place face to face on Tuesday 26 August at Sorrel Drive, Eastbourne. Candidates will complete a written exercise as part of the interview.
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
For more information about Children’s Social work in East Sussex please visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/socialwork or for an informal discussion about recruitment or if you’d like a chat with a particular service practice manager please contact Lisa Giles.
Email: Lisa.Giles@eastsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 01323 464407/8

Salary: £44,119 - £50,435 per annum pro rata (Grade 11-12)*

• Please note that these salaries include a market supplement which has been agreed to end of June 2026– you can view the basic salary on our Salaries scales page

• Following up enquiries
• Completing Q&A/screening calls and initial visits
• Facilitating pre-approval ‘Skills to Foster’ training
• Completing Form F PFCR assessments of prospective foster carers
• Presenting completed reports to fostering panel.
• To contribute to the development of the fostering service to ensure children are provided with a safe, caring environment, which minimises moves and which enables them to reach their full potential.
• To provide a quality service to children and families in need of fostering, in line with departmental policies and procedure and Fostering Service Legislation, Standards, Regulations and Guidance.
• To facilitate information events and attend both recruitment and retention events.
• To undertake some working out of office hours – assessment visits, pre-approval training and information/recruitment/retention events.
• Gathering and processing information into a clear, concise report with analysis that considers implications for fostering as well as strengths, vulnerabilities and risks