Fostering Social Worker

Polaris Community; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Fostering Social Worker to join their integrated team. This role offers the opportunity to promote excellence in foster care practices while supporting the recruitment and panel processes for fostering households. With a commitment to a therapeutic approach, you will work closely with a diverse team of professionals, ensuring that children and foster parents receive the specialized support they need. If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families, this position provides a rewarding environment where your skills will thrive and develop.

Benefits

£3,000 Car Allowance

30 days Annual Leave

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Employee Discount Scheme

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent.
• Experience with children and families social work is essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Independent Social Workers and oversee Form F Assessments.
• Conduct annual reviews and manage safeguarding concerns.

Skills

Social Work

Report Writing

Therapeutic Child Care

Safeguarding

Recruitment

Education

Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work

Tools

DBS Check

Job description

Fostering Social Worker

Contract type: Full Time

Salary: Up to £38,000 depending on experience

Location: Teynham, Kent

Contract term: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week 9am - 5pm

Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days Annual Leave (rising to 35 days' with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme

About Us

Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years' of fostering experience and we're still going strong!

The founder members recognised that looked after children - especially those who'd had very difficult starts in life - needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that's what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.

Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what's known as a 'therapeutic approach' to fostering and it's something that we pioneered.

Responsibilities

ISP is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker to work within an integrated team, towards promoting the excellence of foster care practice throughout the organisation. To support the Recruitment and Panel process for Fostering Households:

• Supervision of Independent Social Workers including Form F Assessors and Panel Members
• Overseeing the development of Form F Assessments
• Organising and conducting annual reviews
• Quality assurance
• Delivery of Skills to Foster training courses
• Managing safeguarding concerns and complaints
• Carer recruitment activities
• The role is very diverse and enables social workers to develop and build on their skill base in all arenas of fostering

Requirements

This is an exciting and varied Social Work role, responsibilities included are:

• Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent
• Previous experience with children and families social work
• Previous experience or a want to work in a therapeutic model of child care
• Previous experience in the recruitment of Fostering Households
• Previous experience in Fostering Panels
• A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to children's services as well as publications
• Ability to provide a high standard of report writing
• Full driving licence with unrestricted access to your own car

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by ISP.

ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.