Supervising Social Worker – Fostering Team

Lincolnshire County Council; Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a Supervising Social Worker to join its Fostering Team. The successful candidate will assess and support foster carers, ensuring that children's needs are met through collaboration with professionals. This role requires Social Work England registration and significant social work experience, particularly with fostering legislation. The role offers a salary of £35,412- £39,152 pro rata, along with flexible working arrangements and excellent development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Access to training and development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Significant social work experience with a focus on fostering.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Ability to respond to individual needs of families.

Responsibilities

• Assess and support foster carers for children.
• Collaborate with multi-agency professionals.
• Promote support networks for foster carers.

Skills

Social Work England registration

Understanding of fostering legislation

Strong communication skills

Case recording proficiency

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

Supervising Social Worker – Fostering Team

Service Area: Children’s Services – Fostering

Salary: £35,412- £39,152 (pro rata) + 7% retention payment, with excellent benefits and development opportunities

Hours: 22.2 per week (3 days)

2‑Year Fixed Term (Secondment available for internal candidates)

Join Lincolnshire County Council’s Ofsted‑rated Outstanding Fostering Service and make a real difference to children and families across the county.

We are seeking passionate and experienced Supervising Social Workers to join our dedicated team, focusing on supporting kinship and mainstream foster carers who provide loving homes for children.

Your Role

As a Supervising Social Worker within our Fostering Service, you will:

• Assess, support, and supervise foster carers, including those caring for children within kinship arrangements.
• Promote the importance of strong support networks, encouraging carers to access both local authority and external services.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of trauma, loss, separation, and child development, and their impact on children and families.
• Collaborate with multi‑agency professionals and attend key meetings to ensure children’s needs are met.
• Bring a trauma‑informed, solution‑focused approach to complex situations, maintaining a child‑centred focus.
• Support recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers.
• Facilitate reflective discussions with foster carers and support their personal development plans.
• Deliver training and contribute to the enhanced training pathway.
• Complete paperwork for fostering panel and other statutory meetings and processes in a timely manner, to an exceptional standard.

What We Offer

• A balanced caseload and a supportive working environment.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Monthly supervision.
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.

About You

• Social Work England registered practitioner.
• Significant social work experience and an in‑depth knowledge of relevant legislation including The Fostering Services Regulations & National Minimum Standards (2011).
• Understand and respond to people’s unique needs and aspirations, abiding by social work values and practice.
• Strong communicator with excellent organisational and IT skills.
• Proficient in case recording and formal report preparation.
• Committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking, innovative authority that is shaping the future of fostering. You’ll join a collaborative team committed to supporting kinship carers and improving outcomes for children.

We are offering a competitive salary of £35,412‑ £39,152 (pro rata) + 7% attraction and retention payment paid monthly, along with an extensive benefits package, details of which can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure.

If this sounds like the role for you, then please read through the full Job Description to support you in completing the best application possible, before clicking apply!

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please email Lindsay Fowler, Practice Supervisor Fostering North at [e-mail] or Emily McAllister, Fostering North Team Manager at [e-mail].

Closing date: 11th Jan 2026 (midnight)

Interviews: 21st January 2026

Please refer to our Job Information Pack to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and, under such circumstances, we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our Values

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco‑conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.