Supervising Social Worker

Polaris Community; Dutton; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-oriented fostering agency in Dutton is seeking a qualified Supervising Social Worker for maternity cover. This full-time role involves direct support and supervision of foster parents, emphasizing high-quality practice and effective collaboration. Candidates must hold a Social Work qualification and have experience within fostering, alongside strong communication skills and a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, including car allowance and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Car Allowance

30-35 days Annual Leave

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Medical Cash Plan

Qualifications

• Experience of working within fostering.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fostering regulations and child care law.
• Willingness to work after hours and on weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents.
• Direct support of foster parents with a realistic caseload.
• Work in partnership with children, young people, and foster parents.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Good IT skills

Education

Social Work England qualification or equivalent

Job description

Supervising Social Worker - Orange Grove

Contract type: Full-Time

Salary: Up to £39,000 (dependent on experience)

Contract term: 12 Month Fixed Term Maternity Cover

Hours: 37 hours per week

Office Location: Northwest

Start Date: March 2026

Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days Annual Leave (rising to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme, Medical Cash Plan

About Us

Orange Grove was founded in 1996 by two social workers who understood that strong relationships held the key to successful fostering. As with all families, relationships matter. They provide a stable platform for growth, which is why we commit time, effort, and resources into nurturing them constantly.

We do this for the children in our care by getting to know them and providing a safe and positive family environment. We do it for our foster parents by treating them individually and tailoring our support to their needs. And we take care to build strong and positive relationships with local authorities and our other partners, so we can all work effectively together.

This has been at the heart of our philosophy ever since we were first set up over 20 years ago.

The Role

Orange Grove Fostercare Northwest are currently seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed, and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills. We ask our Social Workers to take a collaborative approach with foster parents in order to promote meaningful and relevant supervision of placements. To have experience of working with foster parents as professional colleagues and working within a multi-discipline arena is essential, as is holding a full driving licence, being a confident driver, willing and able to travel across the North West with unrestricted access to your own car.

This is a demanding position that includes both a quality assurance role to maintain high standards and a training role for prospective and current foster parents. You will be an excellent report writer and able to work to strict deadlines.

You will be involved in the recruitment, training, and supervision of Foster Parents and promoting the welfare of children placed with Orange Grove Fostercare.

Requirements

• Hold a Social Work England, qualification in Social Work or equivalent, and be registered with Social Work England.
• Experience of working within fostering.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of all fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A commitment to high-quality practice, which may include occasional working after 17.00pm and weekends.
• Being part of an Out of Hours rota for the Northwest region (phone contact / sign posting).
• Good IT skills and understanding / use of Microsoft, Outlook and databases / systems.

Responsibilities

• Direct support of foster parents with a realistic caseload which enables a high level of supervision.
• Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents, enabling and monitoring their practice and ensuring their compliance with regulatory standards.
• To work in partnership with children, young people and foster parents and other professionals, local authorities, and stakeholders, enabling full participation in meetings, decision making, to include child protection. Have a full driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle.
• Be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check (cost will be met by Orange Grove Fostercare).

Orange Grove Fostercare is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Orange Grove Fostercare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.