Supervising Social Worker

Polaris Community; England; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established agency is looking for a passionate Supervising Social Worker to join their supportive team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with foster parents and children, ensuring a nurturing and safe environment. You will be instrumental in guiding foster families, monitoring their progress, and participating in community resources. The agency values fresh perspectives and is committed to professional development, providing a robust induction and ongoing support. If you are newly qualified or close to completing your qualification, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact in the fostering sector.

Benefits

£2,000 Car Allowance

30 days' Annual Leave

Life Assurance

Employee Discount Scheme

Medical Cash Plan

Qualifications

• Must be a registered social worker with proven report writing skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of child safeguarding and relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Support foster parents to achieve outstanding outcomes for children.
• Monitor foster parents' suitability and provide regular supervision.
• Participate in out-of-hours support and conduct home visits.

Skills

Report Writing

Child Safeguarding Procedures

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Education

Professional Registration with Social Work England

Tools

Form F Assessments

Job description

Role: Supervising Social Worker– ASYE Applications Welcome

12 Month Fixed Term Contract – 4 Days Per Week

Benefits: £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave, Rising to 35 Days upon Length of Service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan (All Benefits Pro Rata’d).

Location: Hybrid – Covering our Foster Parents across Somerset

We are excited to welcome newly qualified social workers to join our fostering agency. This is an amazing opportunity to join Foster Care Associates. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Newly Qualified Social Worker to join our inspirational and friendly team to develop and promote the fostering services in the South West.

We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with starting your career, and our dedicated team is committed to providing you with the support you need to succeed. From day one, you will benefit from a robust induction program designed to familiarise you with our processes and best practices.

Our experienced team will be there to guide and mentor you every step of the way, ensuring you have the resources and confidence to thrive in your role. You will be supported through the CPEL programme which we fully support in conjunction with universities. We value the fresh perspectives and enthusiasm that newly qualified social workers bring, and we encourage you to apply to become part of our supportive and dynamic team.

If you are newly qualified or in the process of gaining your qualification this year, we would welcome your application.

ABOUT US

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK’s largest leading communities of children’s service providers.

The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that’s still where our Head Office is today.

We’ve come a long way since those early days and, over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence, and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same; ‘to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities’, and it’s underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential.

Today, we’re one of the country’s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we’re large doesn’t mean we’re impersonal. At FCA we’re one big family, and we’re committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Our South West team are looking to recruit a Supervising Social Worker/ASYE to join our established team to support our Foster Parents and Young People within the Somerset area.

• Support foster parents and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care.
• Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of Foster parents ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children/young people.
• Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in the FCA policies and procedures.
• Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster parents in line with FCA’s Operational Standards.
• Work in partnership in a team parenting approach to help identify any needs within the foster family e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays, with all members of the child’s network, including contributing to all relevant meetings and any other tasks defined.
• Ensure each child and foster parent are fully compliant in respect of all key documentation.
• Attend meetings and/or provide reports for Commissioning Teams to address individual packages of care.
• Promote participation of children/young people in the development of the agency and in accessing resources and opportunities in their local community.
• Participate in an ‘out of hours’ support service on a rota basis.
• Undertake occasional initial home visits and Form F Assessments.

YOU MUST HAVE:

• Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures.
• The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away).
• Confidence with transporting children and young people in sometimes stressful/difficult situations.
• Full driving licence.

For an informal discussion about this exciting new opportunity, please contact Naomi Pollard, Registered Manager on 07483 140 313.

To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch.

No agencies please.

Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.