CS/3787 - Fostering Reviewing & Training Officer

Plymouth City Council; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government council in Plymouth is seeking a Fostering Reviewing & Training Officer to chair household reviews for foster carers, providing guidance on regulations to ensure high quality support. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of post-qualification experience in child protection and be passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. This part-time role offers flexible working arrangements and the opportunity for additional hours.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive and nurturing work environment

Qualifications

• At least five years post-qualification experience in child protection.
• Experience as a team manager or Advanced Practitioner is ideal.
• Registration with Social Work England is required.

Responsibilities

• Chair household reviews for foster carers.
• Provide advice on Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards.
• Ensure safeguarding and health and safety responsibilities are adhered to.

Skills

Chairing meetings

Working with partner agencies

Fostering Regulations knowledge

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

N288 - Fostering Reviewing & Training Officer - Role Profile

Plymouth Children’s Services are looking for a Fostering Reviewing & Training Officer who will help make a difference in the lives of the children and young people we work with. Children are at the heart of everything we do and our restorative relationship-based practice helps us to make positive and lasting changes in their lives and the lives of their families.

The successful candidate will be responsible for chairing household reviews for foster carers and making recommendations about the suitability of foster carers including identifying areas of support. The Fostering IRO will also provide advice, guidance, and consultation to all staff on Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards to support the development of the Fostering Service to ensure we are delivering high quality support to all foster carers. Creating a culture of safe working practice to ensure Foster Carers adhere to safeguarding and health and safety responsibilities.

If you would like to become part of a team who work collaboratively with children and young people to help shape our service and influence practice, this team is for you. We are looking for potential or current Independent Chairs who strive to make sure that the voice of the child and their families is central in all work undertaken, as well as ensuring safe, timely and individual needs led plans are in place for children.

You will be part of an experienced team that is dedicated and committed to achieving good outcomes for children and providing an inclusive service. Staff development, wellbeing and work life balance is also a key focus for the management team who provide a supportive, nurturing and learning environment.

We are looking for social workers with at least five years post qualification experience, ideally with team manager and/or Advanced Practitioner experience, working within the child protection and child in care arena. You will need to be confident in chairing meetings and working with partner agencies. Most of all, you will need to be aspirational for all of the children and young people you work with.

We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role

Registration with Social Work England is a requirement and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Children & Adults barred list check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

This role is for 15 hours per week. Applications are welcome for this role and the opportunity to secure an additional 22 hours for the role of independent chair CS/3781 – totalling 37 hours. This will entail just one interview for those that apply for both posts.

If this is of interest to you, please submit applications for both CS3781 and CS3787.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Anna Russell - Service Manager, on 01752305962.

Closing date:- Sunday 27th July 2025

Interview Date – Tuesday 5th August 2025

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.

As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.