Fostering and Kinship Social Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Holiday matching up to 31 days

Social Work England registration fees

Local Government Pension Scheme

Access to the Social Work Academy and

CPD

24/7 employee assistance programme

Hybrid working where possible

Regular supervision and team meetings

Job summary

Worcestershire County Council’s Fostering and Kinship Service is seeking a permanent social worker to assess and supervise foster carers and support court submissions related to viability, private fostering and special guardianship.

The role focuses on family and friends placements and connected carer assessments.

Qualifications

• Current Social Work England registration
• Post-qualifying experience in children and families
• Experience completing social work assessments
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Responsibilities

• Assessing and supervising foster carers
• Undertaking viability assessments for court submission
• Undertaking private fostering assessments for court submission
• Undertaking special guardianship assessments for court submission

Skills

Good knowledge of fostering regs

Education

Professional qualification in social work

Job description

This permanent, full-time social worker post sits in the Fostering and Kinship Service of Worcestershire County Council's Children's Services, within Worcestershire Fostering. The work centres on assessing and supervising foster carers and carrying out viability, private fostering and special guardianship assessments for court. Its focus on family and friends placements, including connected carer assessments, sets it apart from general fostering work. Candidates need current Social Work England registration and post-qualifying experience in children and families.

What the job involves

• Assessing and supervising foster carers
• Undertaking viability assessments for court submission
• Undertaking private fostering assessments for court submission
• Undertaking special guardianship assessments for court submission

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in social work

Registration & licences

• Current Social Work England registration

Experience

• Post-qualifying experience in children and families work
• Proven experience of completing social work assessments

Skills & knowledge

• Good knowledge of fostering regulations and minimum standards

Checks & eligibility

• Satisfactory enhanced criminal records check via the DBS, as the post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Nice to have

• Experience of fostering and connected carers assessments

What's offered

• 26 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years
• Holiday matching of up to 31 days for those joining without a break
• Social Work England registration fees reimbursed
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to the Social Work Academy and CPD
• 24/7 employee assistance programme with support and counselling
• Hybrid working where possible
• Regular supervision and team meetings with a stable permanent management group