Foster Carer Liaison Officer (Fixed-Term)

Job Description

West Dunbartonshire HSCP Fostering Service is committed to providing safe, nurturing and stable homes for our children and young people. To strengthen our approach around both the recruitment and retention of high‑quality Foster Carers, we are introducing an exciting new role of Foster Carer Liaison Officer to the service.
 
This role will be a dynamic, relationship‑focused post designed to enhance the experience of prospective and approved carers, ensuring they feel informed, valued and supported throughout their journey with us.
 
What You’ll Do

As our Foster Carer Liaison Officer, you will play a key role in the growth and sustainability of our fostering community. Your responsibilities will include:
 
1. Recruitment & Enquiry Response
- Act as the first point of contact for all fostering enquiries, offering timely, warm and knowledgeable responses.
- Provide clear information and guidance to prospective carers about the assessment, approval and onboarding process.
- Support the development and delivery of recruitment activity, events and campaigns.
 
2. Retention & Carer Support
- Work closely with the Fostering Team Manager to strengthen relationships with existing carers, ensuring they feel connected, supported and valued.
- Develop and coordinate the annual Foster Carer training programme, ensuring it is accessible, relevant and aligned with both service and carer priorities.
- Monitor and report on carers’ engagement with mandatory training, supporting the Team Manager with oversight and follow‑up.
- Maintain accurate information and oversight of carers’ registration criteria and placement availability to support and inform effective matching and placement decisions for children and young people.
 
3. Service Development
- Contribute to continuous improvement within the Fostering Service by supporting in the  identification of themes, gaps and opportunities from both carer feedback and enquiries
- Support in the delivery of information sessions and engagement activities with both prospective and current Foster Carers.
 
For this role we are looking for someone who is:

- A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Able to build positive, trusting relationships with a wide range of people.
- Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
- Skilled in presenting information clearly, whether in person, online or in writing.
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a supportive team.
 
Experience in fostering, social care, community engagement or training coordination is desirable, but we welcome applications from candidates with transferable skills and a commitment to learning.

Should you wish any further information in relation to this post or want to have an informal discussion around this then please contact Claire Strain-McCafferty (Fostering Service Manager) on 0141 562 8800

Requirements

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2020 and as such membership with the PVG scheme is essential. Further details of this scheme can be found here.

Preferred applicants will be required to become members of the relevant PVG scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme update check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.

The Individual

WDC was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:

• Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year
• Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support

Now that you have read the role and what we have to offer, we would love to hear from you. Please use the application to tell us your experience, and why you are the candidate for this role.

For information about West Dunbartonshire Council please click on the following link and see why we are an employer of choice:
http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/about-us/

More information on the benefits of working within West Dunbartonshire Council, can be found using the following link:
http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/benefits-of-working-with-us/