Social Worker, Supervising

The Methodist Church in Britain; Eastbourne; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diverse range of benefits

Flexible working

Professional development support

Market supplement (time-limited)

Job summary

East Sussex County Council, located in the Eastbourne area, is seeking a practitioner to join the Support and Supervision team within the children's fostering service. You will independently manage a caseload of foster carers and provide high-quality supervision while ensuring children are safe and thriving.

The role includes training social work students and newly qualified staff, with the Assessed and Supported Year for graduates after 2012.

Qualifications

• Must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Knowledge of legal and policy frameworks relevant to social work practice.
• Understanding of trauma, attachment, and child development and how to apply it in practice.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a caseload of foster carers.
• Provide high-quality support and supervision to foster carers.
• Ensure children are safe, secure and thriving.
• Manage risk and safeguarding concerns.
• Handle complaints and allegations.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
• Work collaboratively with professionals and build relationships with carers.
• Contribute to learning of students and newly qualified social workers.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development.

Skills

Legal frameworks knowledge

Trauma & attachment understanding

Risk identification & management

Independent workload management

Education

Recognised social work qualification

Social Work England registration

Job description

Sits in the Support and Supervision team of East Sussex County Council's children's fostering service. The post holder manages a caseload of foster carers independently, supporting them so that children in their care are safe and thriving. At 30 hours a week, the post also helps train social work students, newly qualified social workers and team members. Fit depends on a recognised social work qualification, current registration and, for graduates after 2012, the Assessed and Supported Year.

What the job involves

• Independently manage a caseload of foster carers
• Provide high-quality support and supervision to foster carers
• Ensure children are safe, secure and thriving
• Manage risk and safeguarding concerns
• Handle complaints and allegations
• Maintain accurate records
• Prepare reports
• Work collaboratively with professionals
• Build positive professional relationships with carers
• Contribute to the learning of social work students, newly qualified social workers and other team members
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification

Registration & licences

• Current Social Work England registration

Experience

• Completed Assessed and Supported Year if graduated after 2012
• Experience of working directly with children and families

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of the legal and policy frameworks that inform and govern social work practice
• Understanding of trauma, attachment and child development, and how to apply it to practice
• Ability to identify, assess and manage risk, seeking support and solutions where appropriate
• Ability to manage own workload independently

What’s offered

• Diverse range of benefits, detailed on the benefits page
• Flexible working, including around childcare and caring responsibilities
• Support to grow and develop through the social work education team
• Time-limited market supplement within salary, subject to review in December 2027