Senior Practitioner - General Fostering

BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL; Bridgend; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council in Bridgend is looking for a Senior Practitioner to enhance their fostering service. The successful candidate will manage complex cases, supervise team members, and ensure effective collaboration across various children's teams. This position requires a Social Work qualification and the ability to communicate in Welsh. The role offers great career development opportunities and a supportive working environment.

Qualifications

• A Social Work qualification is required along with registration with Social Care Wales as a Registered Social Worker.
• The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is required.
• An Enhanced Children's Barred list criminal records check by the DBS is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the General Fostering Team and supporting foster carers.
• Hold a caseload of complex cases and provide supervision.
• Collaborate with all Children's teams within the Local Authority.

Skills

Social Work qualification

Ability to greet customers in Welsh

Team management skills

Education

Registered Social Worker

Management qualification (willingness to work towards)

Job description

Overview

Senior Practitioner - General Fostering

An exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner who enjoys working within a challenging, fast paced service has arisen within Foster Wales Bridgend.

The Fostering Team are part of the Cwm Taff Region and as part of our approach to recruiting additional foster carers we have developed a regional front door to ensure a timely response to any new enquiries.

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable Senior Practitioner to assist the management team in the General Fostering Team in the management, co-ordination and development of the team, in recruiting, assessing, reviewing and supporting General Foster Carers.

The successful candidate will work closely with the management team to develop and ensure an efficient and effective service for foster carers, care experienced children, fostering households and support networks in line with the current policies, best practice, legislation, procedures and reporting systems.

The successful candidate will hold a caseload of complex cases and provide supervision to some team members, taking a lead role in the developing and implementing designated areas of good practice and service development.

The role will involve collaborative working across all the Children\'s teams within the Local Authority, in particular the Care Experienced Team and 15+ team who support children looked after and external providers. We also work closely with the Kinship and Permanence Team who supported connected persons foster carers and Special Guardians.

We are a small and friendly team with great learning and development opportunities for staff to progress their career aspirations.

Bridgend County Borough is a great place to live and work. It occupies an enviable position between Swansea and Cardiff and stretches from the scenic valleys to our beautiful coastline - presenting easy access to urban centres as well as picturesque rural and coastal settings. With excellent schools, affordable housing and excellent public services, there is something for everyone here, and plenty to do all year round to support work/ life balance.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A Social Work qualification is required along with registration with Social Care Wales as a Registered Social Worker.
• A willingness to work towards a Management qualification.
• The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.
• An Enhanced Children and Adults Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.
• A valid driving licence is a requirement for this post.
• The council\'s Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.
• Weekend Working is a requirement for this post.

How to Apply / Contact

If you require any information please contact Amanda De Leon Capdesuner, Team Manager General Fostering on 07483 396 337 or 01656 643420, or email [e-mail]

The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.

Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.

Closing Date: 24 September 2025

Shortlisting Date: 25 September 2025

Interview Date: 7 October 2025

Benefits to working at Bridgend County Borough Council and Job Description & Person Specification can be found via the council\'s site.