Consultant Social Worker (Fostering)

Civic Recruitment Limited; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 Month Contract

Hybrid Working

Enhanced DBS Required

Social Work England Registration

Driving Licence Required

Bi-Weekly Pay

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting a seasoned Consultant Social Worker to support the establishment of regional fostering arrangements. You will help harmonise fostering practices, create regional guidelines, and develop uniform training programs for recruitment, assessment and approvals.

The ideal candidate will work autonomously, influence practices across teams, and execute complex tasks swiftly, joining a high-impact initiative within the region.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with current registration in Social Work England.
• Enhanced DBS certificate.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Extensive experience within fostering services.
• Experience in developing fostering practice guidance and standards.
• Experience in designing and delivering training programs.
• Strong knowledge of fostering legislation, regulations and statutory guidance.
• Ability to work independently and deliver results quickly.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of regional fostering practice guidance.
• Establish and implement standardized fostering recruitment, assessment and approval processes.
• Design and deliver regional training programs for fostering services.
• Support the implementation of Regional Fostering initiatives.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions and stakeholder engagement events.
• Develop quality assurance frameworks and practice standards.
• Review current fostering practices and identify improvement areas.
• Provide expert advice to senior managers and fostering teams.
• Ensure practices comply with fostering regulations and statutory guidance.
• Produce guidance documents, reports, recommendations and implementation plans.
• Collaborate with fostering services, senior leaders and partner organisations.
• Promote consistency and quality across recruitment and assessment pathways.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Facilitation

Independent working

Organisation & planning

Job description

Chichester, United Kingdom | Posted on 27/10/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

Location: Cawley Priory, South Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TH

Contract: 3 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working

• Initial training period will be office-based
  
• At least 2 days per week on site
  
• Remaining time working remotely
  

DBS: Enhanced DBS Required

Driving Licence: Required

Social Work England Registration: Required

Summary

A Local Authority is in search of a seasoned Consultant Social Worker to aid in the establishment of Regional Fostering arrangements. This role is pivotal in harmonizing fostering practices, crafting regional guidelines, and developing uniform training programs for recruitment, assessment, and approval processes in fostering. The ideal candidate will be a proficient social work expert capable of working autonomously, influencing practices across various teams, and executing complex tasks swiftly.

About the Role

In this role, you will spearhead the creation of regional fostering practice standards, quality assurance frameworks, and training programs aimed at enhancing consistency and quality in fostering services. Collaborating with senior leaders and fostering professionals, you will lead workshops, conduct training, develop guidelines, and support implementation activities throughout the region. This position demands a proactive individual who can operate independently while effectively engaging with stakeholders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of regional fostering practice guidance.
  
• Establish and implement standardized fostering recruitment, assessment, and approval processes.
  
• Design and deliver regional training programs for fostering services.
  
• Support the implementation of Regional Fostering initiatives.
  
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder engagement events.
  
• Develop quality assurance frameworks and practice standards.
  
• Review current fostering practices and identify areas for improvement.
  
• Provide expert advice to senior managers and fostering teams.
  
• Ensure practices comply with fostering regulations, statutory guidance, and best practices.
  
• Produce guidance documents, reports, recommendations, and implementation plans.
  
• Collaborate with fostering services, senior leaders, and partner organizations.
  
• Promote consistency and quality across fostering recruitment and assessment pathways.
  

Requirements

Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker.
  
• Current Social Work England Registration.
  
• Enhanced DBS Certificate.
  
• Full UK Driving Licence.
  
• Extensive experience within Fostering Services.
  
• In-depth understanding of fostering recruitment, assessment, approval, and quality assurance processes.
  
• Experience in developing fostering practice guidance and standards.
  
• Experience in designing and delivering training programs.
  
• Strong knowledge of fostering legislation, regulations, and statutory guidance.
  
• Ability to work independently and achieve results swiftly.
  
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  

Mandatory Experience

• Candidates must have held a Principal Social Worker role or higher.
  
• Extensive experience in leading practice development and service improvement initiatives.
  
• Experience in supporting quality assurance and practice governance frameworks.
  
• Experience in influencing practice across multiple teams and services.
  

What's on Offer?

• 3 Month Contract
  
• Hybrid Working
  
• Enhanced DBS Required
  
• Social Work England Registration Required
  
• Driving Licence Required
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• Opportunity to shape regional fostering practice.
  
• Lead the development of fostering guidance, quality standards, and training.
  
• High-profile assignment supporting Regional Fostering implementation.
  
• Collaborate with senior leaders and fostering professionals to drive practice improvement.
  

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Consultant Social Worker, Principal Social Worker, Head of Fostering, Fostering Service Manager, Practice Development Lead, Quality Assurance Manager, Strategic Fostering Lead, or Senior Social Work Consultant.