Your hiring journey

Tips and advice

At National Fostering Group, we're committed to making the recruitment process as comfortable, clear and informative as possible. We want to help you prepare and feel confident at every stage, whether you're applying for a fostering role or another position within our team, we just want to get the best out of you. Below are some key tips and advice to guide you through the process.

Applying for a Role

Research Our Vision, Mission, Promise and Values

Before applying, please do take the time to learn ‘About Us’ and our core values and purpose. Understanding this will not only help you tailor your application but also ensure that your personal and professional ethos aligns with ours.

Tailor your CV and Application

When submitting your application through our recruitment system, be sure to highlight your most relevant qualifications, skills and experience in your CV and supporting statement. Each job posting includes a Job Description and Person Specification, so use these as a guide to tailor your application to the qualities we are seeking!

Background Information

As part of the application process, we’ll ask you to share some personal information, which may include details relevant to background checks. This is a standard step for organisations like ours as it helps us ensure the safety and well-being of the children in our care. Just be open and honest—our goal is to support you through the process while keeping safeguarding a top priority.

Contact us to find out more

We are more than happy to help you explore opportunities with us! If you’d like to learn more about a job vacancy or the amazing teams you could be working with, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to answer your questions and give you a further understanding of how you can thrive and grow with us. Let’s connect and start building your future together.

Interview Preparation

Prepare for the Interview Process

Our interview process varies depending on the role, but most include a combination of competency, cultural fit, skills and knowledge-based questions. These are designed to assess your suitability for the position while giving you the chance to learn more about us. Be ready to provide specific examples to make your answers more tangible.

Tip: Think of strong examples and the STAR approach to answering questions; Situation, Task, Action and Result and how you contributed within your example.

Tip: Come prepared with questions about the role, team dynamics, the Group and the training and support we provide. This shows that you’ve done your research, are serious about the opportunity and are considering your long-term fit.

Demonstrate Your Teamwork and Relationship Skills

At National Fostering Group, one of our values is that we are ‘One Team’ and we are committed to working collaboratively as professionals, foster carers, social workers and external agencies to provide the best outcomes for children. Strong communication, relationships and teamwork are essential.

Tip: Provide examples of how you’ve successfully worked within a team or led a group to achieve a common goal. Focus on your ability to listen, empathise and support others.
Tip: Be clear about how you handle communication in difficult or emotionally charged situations as this is key in a lot of our roles.

Our Children and Young Person Panel

At National Fostering Group, we believe that the children and young people in our care should have a say in who works here. After all, the relationships we build with them are at the heart of everything we do.

As part of our interview process, you may be invited to meet with a Children and Young People Panel. This panel will be made up of some of our young people that have experienced fostering and plays an important role in helping us select the right individuals to join our team.

Why is this important? We understand that our children and young people are experts in their own experience. They can offer unique insights into what makes a person approachable, understanding and trustworthy—qualities that are essential when working for us. Including them in the process allows them to feel valued and gives them ownership over decisions that impact their lives.

Bring your documents

When attending your interview, you will be asked to bring all necessary documents with you so that if you are offered the job, we can promptly begin the required pre-employment checks.

This may include proof of your right to work in the UK (such as a valid passport or visa), ID documents for a DBS check (driving licence, birth certificate or utility bill with your current address) and any relevant certificates or qualifications required for the role. Having these documents on hand will help us avoid any delays further down the line!

Be yourself!

Finally, we want to get to know the real you. While it’s important to be professional, don’t be afraid to let your passion for the role come through during the recruitment process.

Tip: Share personal stories or experiences that have inspired you to apply and work with us. Genuine motivation and passion for making a difference can make a lasting impression.

We hope these tips help you feel more prepared and confident as you apply for a role with National Fostering Group. Our recruitment process is thorough but designed to ensure that both you and our team have the information needed to determine if this is the right opportunity for you. If you would like any further information please contact our recruitment team on recruitment@nfa.co.uk and we will be happy to help!

Good luck and we look forward to meeting you!