Supervising Social Worker

Orange Grove Fostercare; Newcastle-under-Lyme; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A care organization is looking for a qualified Social Worker in Newcastle-under-Lyme to provide direct support and supervision to foster parents. The role requires strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures, along with experience in Form F assessments. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with foster parents and local authorities, ensuring the welfare of children in care. Benefits include a £3,000 car allowance, generous annual leave, and a pension scheme.

Benefits

£3,000 Car Allowance

30 days Annual Leave

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Employee Discount Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children and foster carers.
• Experience supporting children who have experienced trauma or neglect.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents.
• Work in partnership with children and young people for safeguarding.
• Direct support of foster parents within a manageable caseload.

Skills

Knowledge of safeguarding legislation

Ability to assess risk

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience in Form F assessments

Understanding of attachment theory

Job description

Overview

Orange Grove Fostercare Staffordshire 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 Berkshire and surrounding areas, 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.

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.

Responsibilities

• Direct support of foster parents within 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.
• Work in partnership with children, young people and foster parents and other professionals, local authorities, and stakeholders, enabling full participation in assessment, planning, review, and decision making relating to safeguarding and 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) and have Child‑Centred Practice & Safeguarding Expertise.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child protection procedures, and fostering regulations.
• Ability to assess risk, promote children's welfare, and ensure safe placements.
• Experience in completing Form F assessments and ongoing foster carer reviews.
• Skilled in analysing family dynamics, resilience, and capacity to foster, with clear evidence‑based reporting.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, foster carers, and birth families.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, chairing meetings, and liaising with local authorities.
• Experience supporting children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse.
• Understanding of attachment theory, developmental trauma, and strategies to support emotional regulation.
• Skilled at working in partnership with local authorities, schools, therapists, and health professionals.
• Ability to advocate for children while balancing regulatory requirements and agency responsibilities.

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 & Free Parking.