Fostering Social Worker

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Life Assurance - three times salary

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced Fostering Social Worker to join the Kinship, Fostering & Permanence Service in Reading. You will manage a caseload, supervise carers and work with teams to secure safe, stable homes for children in our care.

You will assess, train and support foster carers, undertake Form F assessments and contribute to service development while prioritising trauma-informed, child-centred practice.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Experience with children, young people and families.
• Experience managing a social work caseload and knowledge of fostering standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of foster carers with supervision and support.
• Undertake Form F assessments and present to Fostering Panel.
• Deliver foster carer training and development programmes.
• Chair meetings and support placement matching and permanency planning.

Skills

Assessment skills

Communication skills

Partnership working

Prioritisation

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Social Work qualification & registration with Social Work England

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full time

Region Permanent / Full-Time

Job category/type Children's Services, Fostering/Adoption, Social Work/Care

Reading Borough Council is committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Fostering Social Worker to join our Fostering Team within the Kinship, Fostering & Permanence Service.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and forward-thinking service that plays a vital role in recruiting, assessing, training and supporting foster carers who provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children in our care. As part of our service, you will help shape positive futures for children and contribute to the ongoing development of fostering services across Reading and the wider South East region

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

As a Fostering Social Worker, you will manage a caseload of foster carers, providing supervision, guidance and support to ensure children receive the highest standards of care. You will work closely with children, carers, social work teams and partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.

Key responsibilities include:

• Recruiting, assessing and preparing prospective foster carers. (subject to a move into the Regional Care Co-operative)
• Undertaking Form F assessments and presenting reports to Fostering Panel. (subject to a move into the Regional Care Co-operative)
• Delivering and supporting foster carer training and development programmes.
• Providing professional supervision and support to approved foster carers.
• Completing annual foster carer reviews and monitoring action plans.
• Supporting placement matching and permanency planning for children in care.
• Chairing foster carer meetings and placement support meetings where required.
• Working in partnership with children's social workers, schools, health professionals and other agencies.
• Contributing to service development, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.

About you

We are seeking a dedicated and resilient social worker who is passionate about supporting foster families and improving outcomes for children.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Experience working with children, young people and families.
• Experience managing a social work caseload.
• Knowledge of fostering legislation, regulations and National Minimum Standards.
• Experience of foster carer assessment, support and/or supervision.
• Excellent assessment, report writing and communication skills.
• Strong partnership-working and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high professional standards.
• A commitment to therapeutic, child-centred and trauma-informed practice.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date: Sunday 27 th September 2027
Interview Date: Week Commencing 5 th October
Interview Process: To be confirmed