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- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents while ensuring high standards of care for children.
- Company: Orange Grove is a nurturing fostering agency focused on building strong relationships for children's growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £3,000 car allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working collaboratively with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and have experience in family placement and foster care.
- Other info: This role requires a full driving licence and the ability to travel across multiple locations.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 39000 £ per year.
Contract type: Full Time
Salary: Up to £39,000 dependent on experience
Contract term: Permanent
Location: Hybrid, office base Milton Keynes
Caseload Location: Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Peterborough
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
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 Three Shires 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 Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Peterborough 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.
Requirements
- Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent
- Previous experience of family placement work and foster care practice including the assessment of potential foster parents
- A comprehensive working knowledge of all fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation
- A commitment to high-quality practice
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and databases
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
- To 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)
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.
Supervising Social Worker employer: Polaris Community
Contact Detail:
Polaris Community Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific fostering regulations and child care laws relevant to the areas you'll be working in, such as Lincolnshire, Cambridge, and Peterborough. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former social workers in the fostering sector. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the organisation, which can help you tailor your approach and show that you understand the collaborative nature of the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with family placement work and how you've successfully collaborated with foster parents in the past. Highlight specific examples that showcase your ability to support and supervise effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to demonstrate your report writing skills during the interview process. You might be asked to provide examples of reports you've written or even complete a short writing task to assess your ability to meet strict deadlines.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Supervising Social Worker position. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the role, such as working with foster parents and maintaining high standards.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in family placement work and foster care practice. Emphasise your qualifications, skills in report writing, and any experience with multi-disciplinary teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to high-quality practice. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to support foster parents and work collaboratively with children and professionals.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what a Supervising Social Worker does, especially in the context of fostering. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as supporting foster parents and ensuring compliance with regulations.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in family placement work and foster care practice. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully collaborated with foster parents or worked within a multi-disciplinary team.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge
Brush up on your knowledge of fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you are well-prepared and serious about the role.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the support provided to foster parents or how the organisation measures success in their placements. It shows your interest and engagement with the role.
