Senior Supervising Social Worker

Together Trust Centre; Greater Manchester, Lancashire; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Training & development

Blue Light card eligibility

Job summary

The Together Trust is recruiting a Senior Practitioner/Supervising Social Worker to support foster carers across Lancashire & Greater Manchester. The role requires safeguarding checks and an Enhanced DBS, with duties including recruitment, assessment and ongoing supervision of foster carers in a not-for-profit setting.

We offer professional development, flexible opportunities, and a commitment to safeguarding and quality of care for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Registration with Social Work England is required.
• Experience in fostering within IFA, local authorities or related social work settings.
• Ability to assess, supervise and support foster carers and families.
• Strong written, verbal and non‑verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work according to fostering legislation, regulations, and guidance for recruitment, assessment, approval, training, support, supervision and review of foster carers.
• Manage and supervise approved Together Trust foster carers.
• Provide ongoing supervision, support and reviews for foster carers, including groups and training.
• Process referrals for children and young people and support matching as directed by the Registered Fostering Manager.
• Contribute to service development and lead in specified areas.
• Deliver training for prospective and approved foster carers and participate in professional development.

Skills

Registration with Social Work England

Fostering experience

Assessment & supervision

Communication skills

Education

CQSW / DipSW / Social Work Degree

Job description

Have you ever wanted to make a difference to the lives of children in need of foster care. The Together Trust Fostering Service places children with foster families of all shapes and sizes across the North West of England. These foster families provide safe, secure, and caring homes to children and young people. As one of the UK's best employers we are looking for a dedicated, proactive and experienced Senior Practitioner/Supervising Social WorkerLocation: Working across Lancashire & Greater ManchesterHours: 37.5 hours - Full Time Salary: £43,150 per annum (£22.25ph) Full driving licence and access to a vehicle, mileage will be paid at £0.45 per mile.

The Together Trust is one of the North West’s leading charities, offering individual care, support, and education to hundreds of children, young people, and adults each year. We are a not-for-profit charitable trust, so every penny goes back into benefiting the people that we support.

We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home - whether that is a place to call your own or somewhere to experience feelings of safety, stability, and support. You will be helping children to grow their independence and shape their own story within a supportive, caring home.

We are looking to grow the Together Trust’s Independent Fostering Agency. If you are looking for an opportunity to join and work for a charity provider, working for a fostering agency where the values and ethos of the not-for-profit sector are embedded, we would very much like to hear from you.

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

Responsibilities

• To work in line with current fostering legislation, regulations and guidance relating to the recruitment, assessment, approval, training, support, supervision, and review of foster carers.
• To manage, support and supervise approved Together Trust foster carers.
• To provide ongoing supervision, support, and reviews for foster carers, including facilitating support groups, reflective practice and training where required.
• To receive, process and progress referrals for children and young people, liaising with local authorities and supporting appropriate matching as directed by the Registered Fostering Manager.
• To contribute to the development of a high-quality, flexible, and effective service, taking lead responsibility for agreed areas of service development.
• To develop, facilitate and deliver training for prospective and approved foster carers, and participate in relevant professional development opportunities.
• To deputise at meetings and undertake specific tasks as required by the Registered Fostering Manager.
• To undertake independent and complex assessment work commissioned by external agencies, as directed by the relevant Manager.
• To supervise staff and students as allocated by the Registered Manager.
• To undertake any other duties required to support the ongoing development of the service.

About You

• Professional Social Work qualification (CQSW, DipSW or Social Work Degree).
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Relevant experience in fostering in IFA’s, local authority, or related social work settings.
• Skills in the assessment, supervision, and support of foster families.
• Ability to work reflectively and continuously develop practice.
• Ability to work within agreed boundaries while exercising professional judgement.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance.
• Understanding of social work values and principles.
• Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and perform effectively under pressure.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to support change and service development.
• Self-motivated with strong organisational and time management skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Flexible to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Benefits

• Annual Leave 27-day holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
• Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
• Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave.
• Reward and Discount platform offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
• Proud to be a real living wage employer.
• Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
• Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of Wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home.

Please see the job description below for full details

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status, or socio-economic background.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience.

If there is any part of your lived experience, you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can do to support you.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role will involve regulated activity.