Lead Social Worker, Fostering Services (Hybrid)

Hoop Social Work; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

PAYE or Umbrella payroll options

Twice-weekly payroll

DBS and compliance assistance

Job summary

Cardiff Council is seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker for the Fostering Service. The role is non‑case‑holding and focuses on strategic planning, practice development and performance improvement to support kinship and mainstream foster carers.

Work includes leading quality assurance, supervising staff, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The post offers a hybrid pattern (3 days in Cardiff, 2 days remote) and a competitive hourly rate.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Care Wales or Social Work England.
• Experience within fostering services.
• Experience of quality assuring fostering assessments.
• Strong understanding of fostering regulations and the fostering panel.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Ability to contribute to service development and practice standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the quality assurance of fostering assessments completed by internal and external assessors.
• Contribute to strategic planning and ongoing development of the Fostering Service.
• Support and supervise staff within the service, providing guidance and promoting high standards of practice.
• Ensure practice complies with relevant fostering regulations and statutory requirements.
• Support the effective functioning of the fostering panel and maintain high‑quality assessment standards.
• Remain involved in day‑to‑day practice matters while contributing to wider service development.
• Develop tailored services for kinship and mainstream foster carers.
• Promote continuous improvement in practice, performance and service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Staff Supervision

Fostering Regulations

Strategic Development

Education

Social Work qualification

Tools

Fostering Panel knowledge

Job description

Cardiff Council is seeking an experienced Principal Social Worker for the Fostering Service. The role is non‑case‑holding and focuses on strategic planning, practice development and performance improvement to support kinship and mainstream foster carers.

Work includes leading quality assurance, supervising staff, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The post offers a hybrid pattern (3 days in Cardiff, 2 days remote) and a competitive hourly rate.