Fostering Support Worker

Make a real difference to children, young people and fostering families across the West Country area.

At Five Rivers Child Care, we are proud to be a Social Enterprise with a clear mission: turning children’s lives around. We reinvest in services, people, training and innovation so that children and young people can feel safe, supported and able to thrive.

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and proactive Fostering Support Worker to join our West Country fostering service. This is a hands‑on, varied and rewarding role where every conversation, activity and visit can help a child feel listened to, understood and valued.

The difference you will make

You will work alongside foster carers, Supervising Social Workers and other professionals to provide practical and emotional support that helps children in placements feel stable, nurturing and child‑centred. From supporting activities and participation work to helping children build confidence and positive relationships, you will play an important part in creating consistent, meaningful support around each child.

The role involves regular travel across the West Country region, but will mainly involve working within Somerset, North Devon and South Devon. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are therefore essential. You will also need to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends and after‑school hours where required, so that support is available when children, young people and foster families need it most.

What You Will Be Doing

• Support the safety, wellbeing and day‑to‑day experiences of children and young people placed with Five Rivers Child Care.
• Spend time with children and young people in a thoughtful, sensitive and trauma‑informed way, helping them feel heard, included and supported.
• Deliver agreed pieces of support work that contribute to placement plans and positive outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with foster carers and families, offering practical help, reassurance and encouragement.
• Plan and support activities, group work and community‑based opportunities that help children grow in confidence, develop interests and enjoy positive experiences.
• Encourage children and young people to share their views and take part in decisions that affect them.
• Keep clear and accurate records, contribute to reports and share relevant information in line with safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Stay organised, manage your workload effectively and communicate clearly with the wider fostering team.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of children, young people and foster families, including regular availability for evenings, weekends and after‑school hours where required.

What We Are Looking For

You will be someone who is warm, reliable and able to build positive relationships with children, young people and adults. You may already have experience in fostering, social care, education, youth work or supporting children and families, or you may bring transferable skills from another role where communication, empathy and resilience have been key.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to helping children and young people feel safe, included and able to thrive. You will be confident working independently, comfortable adapting to changing priorities and willing to learn as part of a supportive fostering team.

What You Can Expect From Us

• A purposeful role with a Social Enterprise that reinvests in children’s futures.
• A supportive, values‑led team where Respect, Adaptability, Integrity, Support and Excellence guide how we work.
• Ongoing training, supervision and learning opportunities to help you develop in your role.
• 25 Days holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays
• £4500 car allowance per annum
• Simply Health medical cash back scheme.
• Blue Light Card eligibility.
• Company pension scheme.
• Refer a Friend bonus scheme.
• Refer a Foster Carer bonus scheme.
• Long service recognition scheme.

Five Rivers Child Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including employment references and an enhanced DBS check.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.