Social Worker - Fostering

West Sussex County Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in England is hiring a Social Worker for their Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team. The role involves assessing and supporting prospective foster carers and making vital contributions to the emotional well-being of children. Candidates must possess a recognized Social Work qualification, with at least one year of experience. The council offers flexible working options and a supportive environment aimed at enhancing career development. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact on families within your community.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent learning and development provisions

Local government pension scheme

Qualifications

• Completion of at least one year post qualification experience is required.
• Strong understanding of anti-oppressive practice in social work is necessary.
• Experience of managing risk within complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Deliver initial visits and assessments for potential foster carers.
• Support the delivery of 'The Skills to Foster Course'.
• Communicate effectively with prospective applicants and their families.

Skills

Analysis of complex information

Proactive teamwork

Effective communication

Knowledge of safeguarding practices

Education

Recognised Social Work qualification

Completion of relevant post qualifying training

Job description

About the Role

Salary: £43,454 - £55,984 per annum inclusive of market rate supplement Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full Time - 37 hours per week
Location: Based at County Hall North, with countywide travel.

There has never been a more exciting and interesting time to join West Sussex Fostering Service. We have embarked on an audacious development journey, which aims to make our service the service of choice for foster carers in West Sussex. At the heart of our vision is the need to keep the children we care for in their local area, to enable sibling groups to remain living together and to ensure that each and every West Sussex child is provided with outstanding therapeutic care; and we need your help to achieve this.

As a Social Worker within the Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team, you will have excellent interpersonal and assessment skills and be confident in providing analysis on complex situations including matters pertaining to safeguarding and safe care. You will have a good understanding of what it takes to be a foster carer / Supported Lodgings Host and an appreciation for both how challenging and rewarding the role can be. A good working knowledge of Attachment, the impact of developmental trauma on children and families and the application of therapeutic parenting will all be required in the role.

Key tasks and responsibilities are wide ranging and among others include support with the delivery of ‘The Skills to Foster Course’ and open evenings to meet with prospective foster carers and Supported Lodgings hosts. Our ideal candidate will be confident in their assessment and written skills, an excellent communicator and able to work effectively with prospective applicants and their families. Your role will involve undertaking initial visits following initial enquiries and completing fostering and Supported Lodgings assessments. Candidates should be familiar with all relevant statutory guidance and legislation, and it is essential that you have an appreciation for how integral foster carers are to the wellbeing and success of the children we care for.

How we Support You

At West Sussex County Council, we aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where you can achieve your full potential, gain a healthy work‑life balance, and are rewarded for the work you do with clear pathways to achieve your future aspirations. A few examples of these include:

• Flexible and hybrid working options within your small practice teams, managed by a Team Manager and supported by Child & Family Workers as well as additional flexible administrative support from Coordinators embedded within the service.
• Regular group supervision and peer learning alongside specialist roles within the team to focus on the most vulnerable children.
• We pay your Social Worker England registration fee.
• Excellent learning and development provisions with 5 CPD and training days per year and access to Research in Practice and Community Care Inform.
• An excellent local government pension scheme

For a full list this can be found at our Rewards and Benefits page.

About You: Experience and Skills

Just some of the skills and experience you will need include:

Key Skills:

• Able to analyse and interpret complex information and data into cohesive well written Form F assessments / Supported Lodgings assessments.
• Able to work proactively as a member of the team to make accurate assessments of needs and negotiate and implement effective outcomes.
• Able to work in partnership with carers, colleagues and external agencies to deliver an effective service.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral format.
• Able to recognise limits of own accountability and responsibility and seek appropriate support, advice and supervision.

Qualifications and/or experience:

• A recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
• Completion of relevant post qualifying training.
• Evidence of at least one year's experience post qualification.
• Registration with the relevant professional registration body and maintaining registration with that body.
• Knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts and practices, with demonstrable examples of dealing with a breadth of complex issues and situations, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development, motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution‑focussed interventions and systemic working. A good understanding of anti‑oppressive, anti‑discriminatory and anti‑racist practice in social work.
• Experience of effective partnership working and forming effective working relationships with individuals and colleagues, focusing on the needs and handling conflict and disagreement.
• Experience of effectively coaching and supervising others, acting as practice role model and promoting exemplary practice.
• Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
• Readiness to work towards Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) qualification at Stage one or equivalent.
• You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.

For a full list of key skills and experience please refer to the job description attached.

About Us

Here at West Sussex County Council, we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We are committed to improving our services for the children and families in West Sussex we support. You will join us as at a key time on our improvement journey. The work we have started includes establishing a new and experienced senior leadership team, driving forward our ‘Children First’ improvement plan and implementing the Family Safeguarding Practice Model. You will be trained in motivational interviewing, to support our strengths‑based approach to working with families and creating lasting change for children.

We don't underestimate the work that still needs to be undertaken and the challenge ahead, we are confident in our approach and excited about the changes occurring. That's why we need professionals, like you, who really want to be part of the positive change that is happening for children. Be part of an ambitious improvement plan and make a significant difference to children and families in West Sussex. There has never been a more rewarding time to join.

For further information about us and about working in Children’s Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children’s social work in West Sussex.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE06116.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact Janine Hernandez (Service Manager) at . For issues or queries regarding your application please contact .

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and cover letter. In your cover letter outline your motivations for applying and explain how you meet the key skills listed in full and the experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check. You must be able to travel throughout the county including to locations that are not always accessible by public transport.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact .

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.