Engagement & Activity Practitioner

Salary: £16,562.39 per annum (£16,112.39 per annum salary + £450 per annum Homeworking Allowance) Hours & Contract: 21 hours per week (3 days over the working week including evenings and occasional weekends) - Permanent Role Location: Homebased in the North West including Merseyside and Greater Manchester As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and look to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for. As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest unique projects like TACT Connect, our unique and ground-breaking scheme for TACT care experienced young people and adults,  as well as our expanding TACT Education Service and our new Health Service. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos. TACT achieved 16th place in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results in 2023, with 91% of employees acknowledging that the organisation is run on strong values and principles and 94% stating they feel proud to work for this organisation.   If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT,  apply now.   The Engagement and Activity Practitioner (EAP) will work closely with the children and young people in the care of TACT foster carers across the North West. The Engagement and Activity Practitioner will facilitate opportunities for participation by organising, and, attending, events and trips that are in line with the children’s interests, developmental stages, and abilities, inclusive of children with additional needs. The Engagement and Activity Practitioner will continue the development of the children’s buddying club, for children to meet on a regular basis and share their views, ideas, and interests for TACT as an organisation to meet their needs. Overall Duties of the Engagement Activity Practitioner will include: Being an accessible point of contact for the children living with our carers and to our young people, keeping them up to date with the facilities and opportunities available with TACT Supporting interventions and activities to ensure stable placement arrangements Being able to transport children and young people to events, appointments and meetings (mileage reimbursed) Organising and participating in virtual and face-to-face events and occasional residential meet-ups Managing all paperwork associated with events and activities Willingness to work flexibly, according to deadlines and needs of our families Undertaking trauma-informed direct work with children and young people  The main role requirements for this role include: A formal qualification in working with children and young people Experience in a paid or voluntary capacity of participation, advocacy or direct work with young people A good working knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation and statutory guidance  Good understanding of child development Understanding the care experience for Children & Young People Can establish constructive and effective working relationships with other colleagues, agencies and partners Understands inter and multi-agency working Can relate well to young people The successful candidate will be required to attend regular face-to-face meetings in the Liverpool area and attend other face-to-face meetings such as training and team wellbeing events as well as meeting with children and young people in person.  The EAP is required to be available to transport and attend at least two residentials per year within the UK.  The candidate is expected to have access to their own vehicle for transportation and have the flexibility to work during busy times, which include, after school, school holidays and occasional weekends.  TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including: 31 days paid holiday plus bank holidays. Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy). Family friendly policies. Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up. Perkbox – retail discount scheme.  Stakeholder pension scheme (salary sacrifice). Fantastic learning and development opportunities. Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions). TACT is a home based workforce. We recognise the benefits that flexible home working creates for both the employer and the employee. As a remote working organisation, we are committed to working with our staff to enable consistent inclusion and engagement across the organisation to ensure the optimum standards of service for our carers and children. An Enhanced DBS for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf. Closing Date:  Monday 6th January 2025 Interview Date:  Friday 17th January 2025 (via Microsoft Teams) Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people.  All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies. We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.  TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.