Transform Foster Carer Recruitment
Ofsted Inspection Comment:
"Rigorous and effective monitoring of the service is aided by comprehensive use of a recognised online information system. This is used by carers and staff alike to record all aspects of the agency's work and to track the individual progress of children and young people. By providing all with relevant access, information is shared more effectively and efficiently."
Key Features for Recruitment Hubs
Comprehensive Recruitment Management
CHARMS streamlines the entire foster carer recruitment process, from initial inquiries to training, assessment, and approval. By automating and simplifying these steps, CHARMS ensures that recruitment hubs can focus on finding and nurturing the best foster carers.
Website Integration & Enquiry Management
Enquiry API automatically encrypts and imports website enquiries. Online Mail Grabber (OMG) saves emails from any client directly to case files with one click - streamlining the initial contact process.
Secure Application Processing
Prospective foster carers complete sensitive application forms online within CHARMS, saving progress as they go. Social workers can monitor progress without unsafe exchanges of Word files or emails.
Training & Assessment Tools
Complete training module managing bookings, attendance, certificates. Built-in assessment forms with progress tracking and QA monitoring throughout the recruitment journey.
Efficient Placement & Matching
CHARMS excels in managing all aspects of placement, including referral, matching, and tracking. The original Find-a-Family matching algorithm identifies the best potential matches based on age, ethnicity, location, and matching considerations.
Collaborative Record-Keeping
Foster carers, supervising social workers, and other stakeholders use CHARMS to keep comprehensive records of children's progress. This secure, online platform ensures that all essential information is centralized, accessible, and protected.
Secure Multi-Stakeholder Access
Unique logins for foster carers, social workers, managers, panel members, and recruitment hub staff ensure secure access to relevant information. Every stakeholder accesses what they need, when they need it.
Reporting & Analytics
Generate comprehensive recruitment reports, track conversion rates, and monitor hub performance. Full compliance with Ofsted requirements and government reporting standards.
CHARMS Foster Carer App
A dedicated Android and iOS app gives approved foster carers direct access to their records, daily logs and placement information from their phone or tablet, with activity immediately visible to hub staff.
Why Choose CHARMS for Recruitment Hubs?
CHARMS eliminates unsafe spreadsheet trackers and paper-based systems, providing a comprehensive platform that supports every aspect of foster carer recruitment from initial enquiry to ongoing support.
Trusted by 80% of UK IFAs
Used by approximately 80% of UK independent fostering agencies, with over 50,000 stakeholder accounts across 600+ sites in the UK, Ireland and the USA - and a proven track record spanning thirty years.
End-to-End Recruitment Solution
Complete recruitment journey from website enquiry through to approval and placement, all managed in one secure system.
Paperless Operations
Complete elimination of paper files and unsafe spreadsheets. Everything managed securely in one place with full audit trails for recruitment hubs.
Secure Email Portal
Share files and reports with third parties securely using 2-stage login. Perfect for hub collaboration with partner agencies.
UK-Based Support
One helpdesk phone number, with no menu. Get straight through to the dedicated, experienced team based in the UK who understand recruitment hubs.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
Red, amber, green alerts when key dates approach. Built-in QA monitoring and progress tracking for recruitment assessments.
Multi-Hub Collaboration
Designed to support collaboration between recruitment hubs and partner agencies, with secure information sharing capabilities.
Free Development & Support
All system developments funded by SCN. New reports and features built free of charge specifically for recruitment hub needs.
Independent Social Enterprise
Asset-locked and independently owned since 1996, with zero private equity investment. Profits are reinvested in the platform and the sector it serves, not extracted by investors.
Secure by Design
ISO 27001-certified UK hosting, two-factor authentication and full audit trails on every record. Annual penetration testing keeps the platform secure for sensitive fostering data.
Proven Success with Recruitment Hubs
Real Results from Real Hubs
Hubs like Foster4 and Local Community Fostering Greater London East have already harnessed the power of CHARMS to great effect. These organisations have seen firsthand how CHARMS enhances their operations, improves recruitment outcomes, and supports their mission of finding the best homes for children in need.
With CHARMS, these recruitment hubs have achieved:
- Improved efficiency in processing applications
- Better collaboration with partner agencies
- Enhanced compliance and quality assurance
- Streamlined placement matching processes
Ready to Transform Your Recruitment Hub?
Discover how CHARMS can enhance your foster carer recruitment processes and improve outcomes for children and families. With thirty years of specialist fostering sector expertise behind CHARMS, now is the perfect time to revolutionize your recruitment operations.
orCall +44 161 237 1872 or +44 1706 509 198 to discuss your recruitment hub needs
Cost: £110 per month per concurrent licence (plus VAT). Implementation, training, data import, and support - free of charge.