Home from Home Co-Ordinator

Annex A to SOP 14 March 2016

Operations

Job Title: Home from Home Co-ordinator

Reporting to: Rehoming Centre Manager

Contract: Permanent depending on meeting objectives in first year

Location:

40 hours per week – working Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm and Hours: weekends as required.

The post is based in the rehoming centre, but will involve working outside of the centre and liaison with foster carers Post details: and other departments.

Revised: Feb 2016

Summary This scheme is set up to develop the Centre’s existing Home from Home foster scheme. The scheme will provide care in the homes of volunteers for centre dogs that will benefit from short term foster care, such as dogs who are kennel stressed, bitches with puppies, elderly dogs and dogs with medical conditions. We will also look to foster dogs on the centre waiting list or in pounds that we would be unable to provide care for otherwise due to kennel space restrictions. We are looking for someone to lead this scheme who has experience of selecting, handling and rehoming dogs in a working environment. In addition they will be required to recruit, manage and support a small team of volunteer foster carers so excellent people skills will be required. Essentially the candidate will be able to work with a minimum of supervision on their own initiative, have experience in handling dogs and the complexities involved regarding matching dogs to potential adopters. The role will involve extensive communication with Centre staff and other departments regarding marketing and rehoming. The candidate should have excellent communication skills, a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, and use of internet and web media.

Job Description/Home from Home Co-ordinator Dogs Trust/DF/12_03_2016 Annex A to SOP 14 March 2016

Part of this role involves visiting foster carers and transporting dogs across the surrounding areas, so candidates should have a full UK driving licence and experience of driving as part of a previous role.

Duties Home From Home Foster scheme  Select dogs for suitability for the scheme from homes, from within the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre and from other sources as required.  Liaise with the management team, training behaviour advisor, vet nurse and other centre staff regarding the suitability of dogs for the scheme.  Promote the Home from Home Scheme in order to recruit suitable volunteer carers working closely alongside, PR and marketing departments.  Assess suitability of Volunteer Foster Carers by carrying out home checks and interviews.  Transport RC dogs where needed across the surrounding areas  Carry out regular monitoring visits to Volunteer Foster Carers during each placement and provide advice and support in conjunction with RC staff as required; this could be legal, veterinary or behavior advice or the provision of facilities and equipment.  Ensure that the welfare of dogs in foster care is of a high standard and that dogs are prepared for adoption in accordance with centre procedures regarding, health checks, vaccination, neutering, micro chipping and any other treatments required.  Ensure that dogs are assessed and prepared for adoption and marketing in accordance with Centre procedures regarding assessments, training and marketing.  Liaise with external veterinary surgeries regarding registration, treatment and payment procedures for dogs on the scheme.  Keep an inventory and record of food, dog accessories, veterinary costs and any other costs or resources allocated to Home from Home project.  Update volunteers on adopted dog’s progress. Maintain contact databases for Home from Home foster carers and foster dogs.  Work with the management and Centre team and AOD to develop and evaluate the project, and attend meetings / submit reports as required.  Market the dogs whilst they are in Home from Home Foster care via the Rehoming Centre, website and local media.

Job Description/Home from Home Co-ordinator Dogs Trust/DF/12_03_2016 Annex A to SOP 14 March 2016

 Share responsibility with the team for keeping the vehicles used clean and tidy. General  Liaise effectively with internal Dogs Trust departments when required.  To implement and abide by all Dogs Trust Administrative guidelines (AGIs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).  Ensure that all Health & Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after assessment of risk are implemented and followed. This includes following ‘Lone Worker’ guidelines.  Carry out any other duties as directed by the RC Management team, Assistant Operations Director and Directors as required.

Person Specification Essential  Relevant experience of handling and working with dogs preferably within a rehoming centre environment. Ability to screen and assess dogs for health issues, aggression and behaviour problems.  Experience in rehoming and matching dogs to adopters.  Experience of dealing with members of the public face to face.  Confident communicator (written and verbal), able to deal with sensitive and challenging situations in an appropriate manner.  Able to work and communicate as part of a team but able to prioritise and take responsibility for own workload.  IT literate, able to use elements of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & Outlook) and bespoke databases.  A commitment to the welfare and care of animals.  A valid driving licence is required as a large part of this role involves driving in the surrounding areas of the rehoming centre. Desirable  Experience of home visiting in either a voluntary or paid capacity.  Experience in recruiting, managing and supporting volunteers.  Marketing experience.

Job Description/Home from Home Co-ordinator Dogs Trust/DF/12_03_2016