Practice Supervisor - Focus Fostering

Lincolnshire County Council; Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a Practice Supervisor to lead their Fostering Service, focusing on the support and supervision of foster carers. This role requires an experienced social worker who can oversee assessments, ensure quality documentation, and provide reflective supervision. You will have the opportunity to shape best practices within fostering in a supportive environment. Offering a competitive salary package including additional benefits, this position is ideal for candidates passionate about improving the care of children and teenagers.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Monthly supervision sessions

Wide range of training opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered practitioner with Social Work England.
• Experience supporting or supervising children’s service staff.
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation and strong social work values.

Responsibilities

• Oversee assessments and support for foster carers.
• Quality assurance of documentation and adherence to timeframes.
• Provide reflective supervision and enhance staff training.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

IT literacy

Professional curiosity

Education

Social Work England registration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Mosaic

Job description

AtLincolnshire County Council, we are committed to delivering outstanding social care for children, young people, and families. Our ambition drives innovation, and we are proud to be recognised as anOfsted-rated Outstandingauthority.In 2023, we were selected by the Department for Education as one of three nationalFamilies First for Children Pathfinder Authorities, under the government’s strategy“Stable Homes, Built on Love”.

As part of ourChildren in Care Transformation Programme, we are launching a pioneering2-year pilotto recruit and support a cohort of highly skilled foster carers specialising in caring for teenagers. This initiative aims to ensure more Lincolnshire children can thrive in nurturing foster families when they cannot remain within their own family networks.

We are now seeking a passionate and experiencedPractice Supervisorto join our dedicated team and help shape the future of fostering in Lincolnshire.

Your Role

As a practice supervisor within our Fostering Service, you will:

• Oversee the social workers’ assessment, support, and supervision of foster carers recruited to the pilot, with a particular focus on those caring for unrelated children who might otherwise enter residential care.
• Quality assure a range of social work assessments and written documentation, ensuring timeframes and deadlines are prioritised.
• Demonstrate high-level understanding of safeguarding policy and procedures, ensuring that procedures are adhered to.
• Provide staff with reflective supervision and support the service with the development and implementation of the enhanced training pathway.
• Support and develop the recruitment strategy and attend recruitment events for prospective foster carers.
• Support and develop the strategy to retain foster carers.
• Develop, manage and supervise duty systems for staff and foster carers within the pilot scheme.
• Apply a strong working knowledge of The Fostering Services Regulations & National Minimum Standards (2011) and other relevant legislation.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of trauma, loss, separation, and child development, especially the impact of these upon teenagers.
• Work collaboratively across children’s services and with multi‑agency professionals, attending key meetings related to the care and wellbeing of children.
• Support practitioners to operate restatively within complex family situations, maintaining a child‑centred approach.
• Provide planned and flexible supervision for pilot team, which consists of 2x supervising social workers, 1x placement support worker and a training officer. You will also be providing service supervision to the clinical psychologist and child in care link worker, who will be managed by health services, but operational with the fostering service.

What We Offer

• A balanced workload and a supportive working environment.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working.
• Monthly supervision and access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• A collaborative team of 2 team managers, 7 practice supervisors and over 25 qualified social workers, alongside placement support workers, child and family officers, and apprentice social workers.
• A dedicated team manager to support you.
• Regular input from clinical psychology and multi‑agency partners.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking, innovative authority that is shaping the future of fostering. You’ll be supported to develop your leadership skills, build strong relationships, share best practice, and grow professionally in a role that truly makes a difference.

About you

• Social Work England registered practitioner.
• Have experience supporting and/ or supervising children’s service staff.
• Significant social work experience and an in‑depth knowledge of relevant legislation.
• A firm belief in the importance of social work values and practice.
• An excellent communicator who builds strong working relationships with colleagues, families and external agencies.
• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent written and analytical skills.
• Understand and respond to people’s unique needs and aspirations.
• Have professional curiosity.
• Demonstrate good IT literacy and adept at using Microsoft Office applications, as well as mosaic.
• Above all, someone who wants to achieve the best possible result for each and every child.

In return, we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, continuous professional development and career progression. You will have a thorough induction, regular personal and case supervision.

We are offering a competitive salary of £48,925- £52,413 + 7% attraction and retention payment paid monthly, along with an extensive benefits package, details of which can be found in rewards and benefits brochure and many areas for professional support and development.

If this sounds like the role for you, then please read through the full Job Description, to support you to complete the best application possible, before clicking apply! If you would like to know more about Lincolnshire County Council and our current vacancies, then click the following link: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.

If you would like an open and informal discussion regarding the role then please email Fostering North Team Manager Emily McAllister on [e-mail].

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

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

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco‑conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.