Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Wales)

Salary: £27, 405 -£32, 480

Hours: 35

Location: This is a hybrid role, with travel to our Cardiff office at least once a week

Who we are 

The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, dedicated to empowering, enriching and supporting the relationships at the heart of the fostering community.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer in Wales to join our highly effective UK wide policy and campaigns team. With fostering high on the political agenda in Wales and elections in the Senedd taking place next year, this is an exciting time to join the organisation.  

 

You will be passionate about improving children’s social care and foster care for children. You will have knowledge of the policy and legislative landscape in Wales and issues surrounding children’s social care. You will have experience of delivering engaging campaigns and developing mechanisms to support people with lived experience to campaign, particularly young people, as this role supports our young people’s advisory board. 

 

You will be adept at influencing policy makers in government and UK parliaments, as well as developing creative policy solutions to bring about change. You will have significant experience of analysing and conducting research and producing high quality, evidence-based written materials. 

 

You will be a great communicator and able to build relationships with stakeholders of all levels, including parliamentarians, senior figures in government and people with lived experience. 

 

The person specification details the essential and desirable criteria in full. 

What you’ll be doing

You will have the opportunity to influence policy and practice to bring about lasting change for foster carers and children and young people in foster care. 

 

The role will involve influencing parliamentary and policy-making processes in Wales and contributing to UK wide projects. The role will deliver effective campaigns, key research projects and written content for our members. 

 

At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the job description you’re reading. Even if you don't feel that you meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. 

What we can offer you

  • 38 days leave (including bank holidays)
  • A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options  Flexible and hybrid working 
  • Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
  • Enhanced sick pay
  • 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
  • Pension and life assurance
  • Contribution to eye tests and lenses
  • Season ticket loans

Our commitments to you

The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit.

  • If you identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant
  • If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process
  • We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share

Looking for more information?

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact [email protected]

Ready to apply?

To apply please email your completed application form to [email protected].  CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 27 July

Shortlisting date: W/C 31 July 2025

Interview date: 4 August

Interview location: Our Cardiff office

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Fostering Network Registered office 87 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA Registered charity in England and Wales 280852 and in Scotland SC039338 Registered in England and Wales as a limited company no. 1507277 VAT Registration 231 6335 90 thefosteringnetwork.org.uk