Senior Practitioner

Opus People Solutions Ltd; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional recruitment agency in South East England is seeking a Senior Practitioner to join their Fostering Team. This role involves leading the recruitment, assessment, and support of foster carers while ensuring compliance with fostering regulations. The ideal candidate will be a qualified social worker with at least 3 years of relevant experience. The position offers a hybrid work model and an hourly rate of £40.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
• Experience in fostering or related fields is essential.
• Understanding of the statutory framework around fostering is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and support for foster carers.
• Conduct training and events for foster carers.
• Handle placements and inquiries from foster carers.
• Complete annual reviews and ensure compliance.
• Maintain records and contribute to service development.

Skills

Qualified Social Worker

Relevant fostering experience

Knowledge of Fostering Regulations

3 years post-qualifying experience

Driving licence

Job description

Overview

Opus people solutions on behalf of our Client in the South East of England have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner to join their Fostering Team.

Job Title: Senior Practitioner

Length of assignment: 3 Months

Hours per week: 37

Hourly rate: £40

Location: South East of England

Remote/Office based: Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office

About the role

The Senior Practitioner in Fostering leads in the recruitment, assessment, supervision, and ongoing support of foster carers - both mainstream and kinship - plus related legal or regulatory work.

They work to ensure that the fostering service complies with the statutory framework (Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards), delivers high quality support, and helps foster carers develop skills, while also ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of children in care.

Responsibilities

• Providing regular support to foster carers (mainstream & kinship), helping them with professional meetings, supervising their work and supporting them through their fostering journey.
• Facilitating or organising training, events, and support groups for foster carers to build their skills and knowledge.
• Being part of the duty service so that new placements can be matched for children, as well as handling enquiries from foster carers.
• Completing foster carer annual reviews, ensuring compliance with fostering regulations and standards, and presenting to Fostering Panel if required.
• Maintaining accurate records; using reflective practice, audits or other development tools to improve the professional standard of practice in fostering.
• Contributing to staff meetings; working with colleagues (other senior practitioners, deputy managers, operations managers) to develop/shape the fostering service. Liaising with multi‑agency partners when necessary.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker (registered with Social Work England)
• Relevant fostering experience
• Good knowledge of Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards.
• 3 years of post-qualifying experience
• Driving licence is required

If you thrive to make a difference and have 3 years Social worker experience and this is the role for you, then we would love to hear from you.