Quality Assurance Expert - LAFSE (FTC 12 months)

12-month fixed-term contract or 12-month secondment opportunity for internal candidates

Join our expanding team as a highly organised Quality Assurance Expert supporting Local Authority Fostering South East’s (LAFSE)  Fostering South East partnership hub and make a real difference in children's lives.

Whilst largely homebased, there is an expectation that you will work from the Bracknell Forest Council Time Square offices 2-5 days a month and visit the 17 local authorities partner offices in the South East on occasions throughout the pilot year to support the Regional Subcluster Officers.

About you…

You will need to be a registered Social Worker with Social Work England.

As a highly organised Quality Assurance Expert you will support our Regional Strategic Lead; Project Delivery Manager; Service Leads and Team Managers and Enquiry Officers from across the South East  region. You will provide staff with the necessary skills, tools and training to support fostering recruitment and assessment, through the delivery of targeted workshops and development sessions.  You will also contribute to staff and foster carer engagement and retention across a range of DfE-funded projects within the Children’s Social Care team.

You must be able to work independently, manage your time effectively and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Equally important is the ability to build and maintain strong virtual working relationships with colleagues, external partners and prospective foster carers across the South East region.

About the team…

You will be part of a small team of staff working for the fostering hub and in partnership with other hubs in the UK.  We are a collaborative and supportive team, committed to driving innovation in fostering recruitment. Our approach is centered on working together to create solutions that make a difference. We spearhead strategic, high-profile marketing campaigns that not only raise awareness but also drive meaningful and lasting change across the South East. Through our efforts, we aim to reshape recruitment practices, ensuring that they are effective, inclusive and impactful in addressing the needs of the region.

Key responsibilities...

The Quality Assurance Expert ensures the consistent and robust quality within the Hub, including call handling and initial home visits. You will quality assure all initial home visit reports for prospective foster carers, provide guidance on quality and safeguarding practices, and support the handling of complex fostering recruitment enquiries. You will supervise and develop a team of Sub Cluster Officers, ensuring high standards in recruitment and assessment processes. The role involves delivering case tracking findings, conducting audits and identifying practice improvements to enhance the Quality Assurance Framework.

Our benefits… 

• 28 days* annual leave increasing to 33 days* after 3 years’ continuous service.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days* annual leave per year and sell 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance. 
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice for an electric car at a fixed monthly cost (subject to eligibility).
• An inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks. 
• Local government pension scheme.
• Life insurance cover (linked to the pension scheme)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave. 
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits such as annual leave entitlements, occupational maternity/paternity leave, and more. (Terms and Conditions apply – please refer to candidate pack for more information.)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities. 
• A great office location next to travel links and Bracknell Forest’s thriving town centre. 
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing. 
• Sports and Social Club.
• Staff dental and health plans. 
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership. 
• Supermarket discount. 

*(pro rata for part time)

Our values...

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you. 

Reasonable adjustments…

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. 

Interview date...

Interviews will be held on 1st July 2025.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question? 

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact: 

Anne-Marie Ali - Senior Project Delivery Manager

Email:  Anne-Marie.Ali@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

At Bracknell Forest we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. At Bracknell Forest Council, we are always learning, ambition and inclusive. Please see our candidate pack for more details

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.

Any successful internal candidate will be offered the position as a secondment and, in line with Section 8.1 of the Secondment Policy, must consult with their manager before applying.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working within the current Social Care System and Framework.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

No agencies please.