Mockingbird and Training Coordinator

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced worker to join our Fostering Team.

This individual will need to be skilled, organised and passionate about building relationships and developing our foster carers to meet the Fostering National Minimum Standards. This post is to cover maternity leave for our current Mockingbird and Training Coordinator position for a 1 year fixed term contract.

This post will suit someone who wants to work hard in ensuring our carers have regular support. There will be an expectation to support with administrative tasks, identify gaps in foster carers training and development, produce newsletters, help to organise events and work hard to retain our foster carers.

About the role

This is a unique post as it is one vacancy that covers two roles. As a training coordinator you will advise, monitor, allocate courses and develop training programmes for our foster carers. As the mockingbird coordinator you will be required to be motivated and passionate in organising and coordinating data, events, support groups and coffee mornings. You will work with the team, including foster carers, to gain their feedback and identify gaps in their learning and development.

North Somerset Council are proud to be the first Local Authority in the South West to adopt the Mockingbird model and we are currently launching our 4th constellation by the end of this year with a view to launching the 5th before the end of March 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• As a training coordinator the applicant will develop, provide details, and coordinate training programmes within the fostering service delivery in line with the national minimum standards and statutory requirements. This will include technical support, monitoring training programmes and the evaluation of training with professionals for identified carers within fostering.
• As a Mockingbird coordinator, the applicant will have a good understanding of the mockingbird scheme. They will collect and collate Mockingbird data for fidelity reviews and have oversight of hub carer support with the liaison worker and fostering team manager. The role will require an applicant who is experienced in managing data, creating spreadsheets and have good organisational skills. It will be important for them to have good interpersonal skills, be able to network with other professionals and be part of the team by supporting colleagues and foster carers.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based at the Town Hall in Weston Super Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about supporting others with their development, building relationships and a focus on attention to detail and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent Administrative and Organisational Skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills for working closely with carers and team

Desirable Criteria:

• Proactive and self motivated
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with carers and the wider fostering team

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Louisa Loveridge, Fostering Team Manager at louisa.loveridge@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 07385373086

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Monday 04 August 2025.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.