Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Mockingbird is an approach used in fostering to help improve placement stability for children in care, by helping carers to feel supported to offer more stable placements. Mockingbird uses the extended family model for foster carers by creating a hub which helps carers to offer each other respite care, peer support and joint social activities. 

It creates a constellation of 6 to 10 satellite fostering families who are supported by 1 hub home that is operated by an experienced foster carer, offering planned and emergency sleepovers, advice, training and peer support. The Mockingbird programme works to meet the need for continuity and support for children and young people in care and for additional support for foster carers.

Southend City Council are looking to appoint a part time, agency Mockingbird Liaison Officer, who is a great relationship builder, good co-ordinator and wants to make a difference for children in carer. This is a great opportunity to join this exciting new Mockingbird project.

This post has hybrid options available, you will be spending the majority of time out and about in the community, required to be on site 1 day a week and the 22.5 hours are flexible. Please note that some weekend hours might be needed for events and social occasions 

As the Mockingbird Liaison Officer, you will work with key partners to develop a shared understanding of and commitment to, the Mockingbird Model. You will help to recruit Foster Carers to the new constellation and with families to create an extended family community for children and young people.

The successful candidate will work alongside the fostering managers, social workers and support the wider working of the fostering service.

To be successful in this position, you must have current experience of working within foster care services.

You will have a high standard of customer service and administrative skills, along with this, experience and understanding of working collaboratively with internal and external teams and the ability to prioritise. 

You need to have the ability to communicate effectively, work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.