Recruitment Assistant
Employer: Oakwood Fostering
Location: Work from home (may be occasional team meet ups approx. 3 times a year)
Working hours: 15 hours per week - Flexible hours that can be worked across the week to suit applicant, so it would be perfect for someone working around school drop off hours or who needs a higher level of flexibility.
Salary: £12.47/hour
-
Oakwood Fostering is currently recruiting for a motivated and organised
Recruitment Assistant to support our growing fostering agency.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for a flexible, work-from-home
role that can fit around their lifestyle, while making a real difference in children’s
lives.
What the role offers:
- Flexible hours to fit around your life
- 100% remote working
- Full training and ongoing support
- Opportunity to work with a passionate and supportive team
- A meaningful role contributing to positive outcomes for children
About the role:
You will play a key part in supporting recruitment activities within our fostering
service, helping us continue to grow and support more families.
Why join Oakwood Fostering?
At Oakwood Fostering, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and thriving
environment. This role offers a chance to:
- Build your skills and experience within children’s services
- Work in a supportive and purpose-driven environment
- Make a genuine impact in the lives of children
If you are looking for a flexible role with purpose, we would love to hear from you.
Job Purpose
The Fostering Recruitment Assistant is responsible for managing prospective foster carer enquiries from initial contact through to home visit referral. The role involves engaging with potential applicants, conducting telephone screening, assessing suitability against fostering criteria, maintaining accurate records and supporting applicants throughout the recruitment journey.
The recruitment assistant will play a key role in ensuring that all enquiries are handled professionally, efficiently, and sensitively, helping to identify suitable fostering applicants while providing excellent customer service and accurate information about fostering.
Key Responsibilities
Enquiry Management
Review and assess all incoming web enquiries.
Determine whether applicants fall within the organisation’s geographical recruitment area.
Convert eligible enquiries into applications within the recruitment system.
Maintain prompt contact with all new enquiries in line with service standards.
Applicant Engagement
Contact all prospective applicants by telephone to discuss their enquiry.
Leave professional voicemail messages where applicants do not answer.
Respond promptly to incoming calls and applicant enquiries.
Build rapport with applicants and explore their motivation and interest in fostering.
Provide accurate information regarding the fostering process, requirements, and expectations.
Identify applicants who may require additional information before proceeding.
Send information packs via email where appropriate and encourage future contact when applicants are ready to proceed.
Telephone Screening
Conduct comprehensive telephone screening assessments with prospective applicants.
Complete telephone screening documentation accurately and thoroughly.
Assess applicants against fostering eligibility criteria, including:
o Availability of a suitable spare bedroom.
o Household composition and number of children / others living in the home.
o Bedroom arrangements and suitability of accommodation.
o Immigration and residency status.
o Health and wellbeing considerations.
o Employment and lifestyle circumstances where relevant.
o General suitability and capacity to become foster carers.
Use professional judgement and effective questioning techniques to gather information and identify potential concerns.
Escalate complex or borderline cases to management where appropriate.
Progression and Assessment Coordination
Progress suitable applicants through the recruitment pipeline in a timely way.
Arrange and book home visits for supervising social workers.
Ensure applicants move efficiently through each stage of the recruitment process:
o Enquiry
o Telephone Screening
o Home Visit
Database and Administration
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on the database
Record all applicant contact, discussions, outcomes, and actions taken.
Upload screening forms, call notes, supporting documentation, and correspondence.
Request and monitor signatures and documentation where required.
Ensure all recruitment records comply with organisational policies, GDPR and data protection requirements.
Applicant Suitability and Case Closure
Exercise sound judgement when assessing applicant suitability.
Identify applicants who do not meet fostering requirements.
Explain the reasons for not progressing sensitively when necessary.
Apply appropriate questioning to fully understand circumstances before making recommendations to progress to home visit.
Close and withdraw unsuitable enquiries on IC using the correct outcome categories, including:
o No response
o No suitable spare room
o Immigration or residency restrictions
o Health concerns
o Applicant withdrawn
o Outside recruitment area
o Other eligibility criteria not met
Where applicants cannot be contacted:
o Make a minimum of two contact attempts.
o Leave voicemail messages where possible.
o Send an information pack by email.
o Close and withdraw the enquiry using the appropriate status if n response is received.
Customer Service
Deliver a professional, welcoming and supportive experience to all prospective foster carers.
Act as a positive ambassador for the organisation.
Respond to applicant enquiries promptly and courteously.
Support applicants in making informed decisions about fostering.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Experience
Excellent telephone communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong customer service experience.
Ability to build rapport and conduct sensitive conversations.
Experience maintaining accurate records and databases.
Strong organisational and administrative skills.
Ability to manage a high-volume workload and prioritise effectively.
Good attention to detail.
Ability to exercise judgement and make informed recommendations regarding suitability.
Competent IT skills, including CRM and database systems.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Experience within fostering, social care, children’s services, recruitment, or admissions environments.
Understanding of fostering eligibility requirements.
Experience conducting screening interviews or assessments.
Knowledge of safeguarding principles.
Key Performance Indicators
Timely response to all new enquiries.
Accuracy and completeness of database records.
Quality and compliance of screening documentation.
Positive applicant experience and feedback.
Compliance with recruitment processes and service standards.
Conversion of the correct potential carers.
Applications are to be directed to info@oakwoodfostering.com
The Work From Home Hub is dedicated to finding and sharing remote and hybrid job opportunities across the UK. The content available on theworkfromhomehub.co.uk is intended for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the information provided is accurate and reliable, we make no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of the information presented on our site.
About Oakwood Fostering
Oakwood Fostering are an independent fostering agency committed to creating foster homes where young people feel safe, loved, valued and supported emotionally, physically and educationally.
