ASYE / Supervising Social Worker (Durham)

FCA; North East; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fostering agency in the North East of the UK is seeking a dedicated Foster Care Support Worker to provide crucial support for foster families. Responsibilities include monitoring foster parents, conducting report writing, and providing supervision in line with operational standards. The ideal candidate should have a Social Work qualification and professional registration. This role offers a salary up to £31,588 annually and various benefits including a car allowance and annual leave.

Benefits

£2,000 Car Allowance

30 days’ Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

Life Assurance

Company Pension

On-site Free Parking

Employee Discount Scheme

Qualifications

• Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including occasional nights away.
• Full driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Support foster parents to achieve outstanding outcomes for children.
• Monitor the suitability of foster parents, ensuring a safe environment.
• Provide regular supervision to foster parents as per operational standards.
• Participate in 'out of hours' support services on a rota basis.

Skills

Report writing

Child safeguarding knowledge

Social Work practices

Effective communication

Problem-solving

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Location

DH1 5UQ, Durham, County Durham, North East, UK

About Us

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community – one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that's still where our Head Office is today. We have built a strong reputation for excellence and now offer a wide range of services to children and families. Our purpose remains the same: ‘to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities’ and it is underpinned by values designed to help children and young people reach their full potential. Today, we are one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies and we are committed to supporting every single child and foster parent at every minute of the day.

Salary and Benefits

Salary : Up to £31,588 per annum – dependent upon experience.

• £2,000 Car Allowance
• 30 days’ Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• Life Assurance
• Company Pension
• On-site Free Parking and Employee Discount Scheme

Duties

• Support foster parents and families to achieve outstanding outcomes for children and young people.
• Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of foster parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment.
• Ensure carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures.
• Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster parents in line with FCA’s Operational Standards.
• Work in partnership with the team parenting approach to identify needs within the foster family, such as respite, activities, therapy, holidays and contribute to relevant meetings and tasks.
• Ensure each child and foster parent are fully compliant in respect of all key documentation.
• Attend meetings and/or provide reports for Commissioning Teams to address individual care packages.
• Promote participation of children and young people in agency development and in accessing local community resources and opportunities.
• Participate in an ‘out of hours’ support service on a rota basis.
• Undertake occasional initial home visits and Form F Assessments.

Qualifications

• A Social Work qualification.
• Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures.
• The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away).
• Confidence with transporting children and young people in stressful situations.
• Full driving licence.

How to Apply

For an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact Catherine Todd – Registered Manager on 07813 054 555. To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.