Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Ofsted rated 'Good' Local Authority. Medway Council is looking forward to receiving robust applications for the new upcoming role of Enquiry Officer. You will be working for Medway council and with Local Authority Fostering Southeast (LAFSE), which is part of DfE Fostering Program to ensure a robust and effective foster carer Recruitment and Retention can take place across South East UK.


As part of this role, you will be completing the initial enquiries, speak with potential foster carers and families, visiting them at their homes and completing Initial Home Visits to assess their suitability to foster. You will also work very closely with LAFSE as Medway is part of the LAFSE Sub Cluster and part of Enquiry Officer's role would be completing enquiries and home visits for the other Sub Cluster partner agency.


We are looking for a dynamic personality, who is willing to learn and grow, and have some understanding of fostering and the foster carer recruitment process.


If you wish to have an informal discussion, please George Layzell, Service Manager via email on george.layzell@medway.gov.uk

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In return we offer you:

Generous annual leave entitlement Generous local government pension scheme package Access to wider training and development qualifications Flexible working scheme Travel plan discounts Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Interviews for this role will be held on 3rd and 4th of July 2025.

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Career Progression Framework

Fostering team are seeking to appoint an Enquiry Officer. You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

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Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.


Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.


We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.


Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

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Important Information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

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Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age


For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online


Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.


Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.