Children & Families - Senior Social Worker

Brackenberry; Newport; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Social Worker to oversee the fostering service within children's social care in the Isle of Wight. This essential role demands a skilled professional with experience in assessment and supervision of foster carers, and familiarity with relevant legislation. This is a 3-month contract with a competitive hourly rate of £30.50 – £41.00. Immediate availability is a requirement. The position provides an opportunity to make a significant impact in fostering care.

Qualifications

• Recognised professional Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW).
• Current registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• Significant post-qualifying experience in Children's Social Care.

Responsibilities

• Assess the services and support needed by foster carers.
• Ensure compliance with the National Minimum Fostering Standards.
• Attend the Fostering Panel for annual reviews and reports.

Skills

Experience in Fostering

Knowledge of National Minimum Fostering Standards

Assessment skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

We are working closely alongside a local authority in Isle of Wight to assist with the appointment of a Children & families‑Senior Social Worker on a 3-month contract, highly likely to be extended at clients' discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay: £30.50 - £41.00 per hour

Summary

The Social Worker is a vital role within the Isle of Wight Councils Children and Families service, dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of care, safety, and support for fostered children and their carers (both mainstream and kinship). The post holder will manage a hybrid caseload, combining robust supervision and support of approved foster carers with statutory duties, ensuring that every foster home provides a nurturing environment that meets the developmental needs of the children placed there. This role requires an experienced, highly skilled, and committed social work professional capable of maintaining regulatory compliance, driving continuous improvement in fostering practice, and effectively managing safeguarding concerns.

Responsibilities

• Assess the services and support needed by foster carers to meet the specific care needs of the children placed with them.
• Ensure the foster home environment meets all the developmental needs of the children living there.
• Ensure that the foster carer is working to and meeting all the National Minimum Fostering Standards (NMS) and Fostering Regulations in their practice.
• Ensure all necessary compliance checks for the fostering household are up-to-date, including DBS checks, Health Assessments, Safer Caring Policy, and other related household checks.
• Support the home finding process for children needing to come into care, working alongside the Placement Team and the Child's Social Worker (CSW).
• Attend the Fostering Panel as required to present annual reviews, variations, or other reports.

Essentials

• A recognised professional Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW).
• Current registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• Significant post‑qualifying experience in Childrens Social Care, with proven experience in Fostering, Looked After Children, or Children in Need teams.
• Demonstrable experience in the assessment and supervision of foster carers (mainstream or kinship).
• Experience in applying the National Minimum Fostering Standards and Regulations in practice.
• Expert knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, and statutory frameworks relating to Fostering and Looked After Children (e.g., Children Act 1989/2004).
• Proven ability to conduct high‑quality, analytical assessments and write clear, professional reports (e.g., annual reviews, Form F).

Please note

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K.
• This role requires an Enhanced DBS.

Disclaimer

Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and are an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important

We will interpret your application as permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. If the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

#OR18931