Senior / Supervising Social Worker

Polaris Community; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance or Company Car

30 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Company pension

Life Assurance x2

Employee Discount Scheme

Job summary

Fostering People in the West Midlands is seeking a Senior/Supervising Social Worker for a 28-hour per week role. You will recruit, train, assess, support and supervise Foster Parents to secure high-quality placements for looked-after children.

Applicants must be a qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration. The role offers a 12-month fixed-term contract with flexible days and a supportive, claims-free environment to make a meaningful difference.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Experience in fostering and children's services is desirable.
• Strong assessment, communication and report writing skills.
• Good IT skills and ability to produce high-quality reports.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment, training, assessment, support and supervision of Foster Parents to ensure high-quality placements for looked-after children.

Skills

Assessment skills

Communication

IT skills

Report writing

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Social Work England registration

Job description

Join an Ofsted Outstanding fostering agency where social workers are trusted, supported and empowered to make a genuine difference to children and foster families across the West Midlands.

Role: Senior / Supervising Social Worker
Hours: 28 hours per week, flexible on days
Basic Salary: Up to £39,392.73 per annum FTE, dependent upon experience
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Covering Area: Central West Midlands – Birmingham, Tamworth, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Shrewsbury

• £1,000 car allowance or Company Car scheme
• 30 days’ annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service
• Bank holidays
• Company pension
• Life Assurance x2
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Benefits will be pro-rated for part-time employees

About Us

Fostering People is an innovative and developing provider with an Outstanding inspection rating. We have a reputation for providing exceptional support to our children, Foster Parents and dedicated staff team. Established in 2000, our reputation and positive approach has enabled us to achieve growth in the fostering sector. We have received four consecutive Outstanding inspections from Ofsted. Our 2024 inspection report highlighted the following:

• Staff and managers work proactively and closely with a wide range of involved agencies and professionals. They constantly strive to learn and improve the services that they provide.
• Carers report being very happy working for this agency. They feel that the assessment process is robust and fair. They have excellent support from their supervising social workers, as well as managers in the agency. They attend support groups and regular events with their birth and looked-after children. They feel highly valued and respected as carer.
• Agency staff report exceptionally high levels of satisfaction in their roles. They feel well supported, trained and respected. Training opportunities for staff and carers are excellent.

What We Are Looking For and What to Expect From Us

We are currently looking to recruit a Senior / Supervising Social Worker for our friendly and dynamic team to work with Foster Parents in the West Midlands region.

• You will be responsible for the recruitment, training, assessment, support and supervision of a range of Foster Parents, ensuring high-quality placements for looked-after children

One of our long-serving, now retired, Supervising Social Workers said this about her experience of working for Fostering People:

“Fostering People are a fantastic company to work for where you really feel as though you can make a difference to children’s lives. You will feel well supported by your line manager and also by senior management – it’s a very open and inclusive environment where you feel able to share your ideas and have them listened to. Working at Fostering People gives you the opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge and to develop your specific areas of interest.”

About You

• An enthusiastic and committed self-starter with the ability to work independently while also keeping in touch with team members and Foster Parents. The successful candidate will have excellent assessment skills and will be a strong communicator, both written and verbal, with good IT skills and the ability to produce a high standard of report writing
• You will need to be a qualified Social Worker and hold current Social Work England registration. Recent experience in fostering and children’s services is desirable, although less experienced candidates will be considered. You will possess a good working knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures in relation to fostering and safeguarding
• As an innovative agency, we are seeking applicants who possess a real drive and share our creative vision, whether you’re new to fostering or an experienced Supervising Social Worker

Contact

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, please contact Laura Wicks, Service Manager, on 07587 669492.

Fostering People is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus.

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.