Social Worker - Fostering Support and Supervision Team

The Methodist Church in Britain; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package upto £8,000 (elig.)

CPD time: 6 days per year

Introductory referral bonus £350

Job summary

Cambridgeshire County Council is seeking a qualified social worker to join the Fostering Support Team in Cambridgeshire. You will supervise foster carers, carry out statutory assessments, reviews and visits, and collaborate with birth families and multi‑agency partners across the county.

You will contribute to safeguarding, deliver carer training, and participate in the in‑house fostering duty system, with occasional evening sessions and travel across Cambridgeshire.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with UK registration.
• Experience with children and families.
• Understanding of fostering practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional supervision, guidance and support to foster carers
• Build trusting relationships with foster families, children, birth families and partner agencies
• Carry out regular visits to fostering households and complete statutory assessments, reviews and monitoring
• Ensure children's views, wishes and feelings shape all planning and decision-making
• Work with colleagues and multi-agency professionals, including education, health and voluntary sector partners
• Respond to safeguarding concerns and promote safe, nurturing environments for children
• Complete clear, analytical and timely recording, reports and assessments
• Take part in the in-house fostering duty system and advise carers when needed
• Deliver training, workshops and support groups for foster carers
• Support fostering recruitment events, community engagement and carer retention initiatives
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the fostering service

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Balancing demands

Safeguarding

Education

Social work degree or equivalent

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

A social worker post in the Fostering Support Team at Cambridgeshire County Council, supporting foster carers and the children in their care. The work centres on supervising foster households, carrying out statutory assessments, reviews and visits, and working with birth families and multi-agency partners. The role includes taking part in the in-house fostering duty system and delivering carer training, with occasional evening sessions and travel across the county. Social Work England registration is required and the post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

What the job involves

• Provide professional supervision, guidance and support to foster carers
• Build trusting relationships with foster families, children, birth families and partner agencies
• Carry out regular visits to fostering households and complete statutory assessments, reviews and monitoring
• Ensure children's views, wishes and feelings shape all planning and decision-making
• Work with colleagues and multi-agency professionals, including education, health and voluntary sector partners
• Respond to safeguarding concerns and promote safe, nurturing environments for children
• Complete clear, analytical and timely recording, reports and assessments
• Take part in the in-house fostering duty system and advise carers when needed
• Deliver training, workshops and support groups for foster carers
• Support fostering recruitment events, community engagement and carer retention initiatives
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the fostering service

What’s required

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker

Registration & licences

• Registered with Social Work England

Experience

• Experience of working with children and families
• Understanding of fostering practice

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to balance competing demands while maintaining high standards of practice
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check

Other

• Able to travel independently across Cambridgeshire and work from varied locations
• Willing to support occasional evening sessions for foster carers
• Willing to attend recruitment events, fostering information evenings and community engagement

What’s offered

• Comprehensive wellbeing package, also accessible to family members
• 6 days of protected time each year for continuing professional development
• Relocation package of up to £8,000 (eligibility applies)
• Pay progression scheme to move through the pay grade as experience grows
• £350 introduction fee for referring a social worker who is subsequently hired
• Access to the Cambridgeshire Academy for Reaching Excellence (CARE) development programme
• Annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage