At a Glance
- Tasks: Support kinship foster carers and ensure permanence for looked after children in Shropshire.
- Company: Join Shropshire Council, dedicated to improving the lives of children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options and a competitive rate of £30.57 per hour.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social workers with enthusiasm and a commitment to child welfare are encouraged to apply.
- Other info: Opportunity for flexible hours and involvement in community training and support initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A clear focus to provide support and permanence for the looked after children of Shropshire. The team’s aims are to identify, assess and support potential kinship foster carers through their journey of becoming approved foster carers, to obtaining Special Guardianship Orders where appropriate.
The successful candidate will primarily assess and carry a caseload of kinship foster carers with the long-term aim of supporting them to secure permanence through Special Guardianship. The successful candidate will support and supervise carers as they move towards obtaining a Special Guardianship Order, providing permanence for Shropshire’s looked after children and young people.
We are looking for qualified social workers who have enthusiasm, positivity, flexibility, the ability to work to tight timescales and have a commitment to contributing to the development of the team and our foster carers. The suitable candidate will work towards supporting our carers to ensure a positive, safe and nurturing experience for children and young people while supporting the connected families towards permanence.
- To contribute to the ongoing assessment, development and training of kinship foster carers to care for young people who are accommodated by the local authority, and to promote the necessary support needed to enable the kinship foster families to achieve permanence through SGO.
- To provide direct supervision and support to approved kinship foster carers in line with fostering legislation, attending, and supporting them in meetings such as CLA reviews, transition meetings, care planning meetings, PEP meetings and any other relevant fostering or CLA meetings related to the child.
- To undertake kinship fostering assessments (Form C/K), viability assessments when required, special guardianship assessments, and on occasion other assessments within appropriate time scales.
- To be reflective, restorative and practice with a therapeutic trauma informed approach.
- Plan and prioritise own workload, ensuring urgent deadlines are met.
- Participating in regular supervision or consultation with the team manager ensuring that they are always made aware of significant issues in respect of kinship foster carers, children and families.
- Produce high quality assessments and reports including court statements, court reports, and assessments.
- Support when individuals, carers and families are not in agreement with social work interventions.
- Demonstrate a high level of expertise.
- Personal accountability for delivering services efficiently, effectively and within budget. To implement any approved savings and investment allocated to the service.
- To be available out of normal office hours to develop carer forums for the purpose of training and of support or recruitment if required.
- To be able to undertake visits and assessments out of county when required, which may on occasions require overnight stays.
Please get in touch if you are interested in this role!
Children’s Social Worker – Shropshire – Fostering (Kinship) – £30.57 employer: Ashberry Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ashberry Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Social Worker – Shropshire – Fostering (Kinship) – £30.57
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legislation and guidelines surrounding kinship fostering and Special Guardianship Orders. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and understanding of the responsibilities involved.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former social workers in the fostering sector. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the team dynamics at Shropshire Council, which can be beneficial during your discussions with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with trauma-informed care and how it applies to working with children and families. Highlighting your practical examples will show us that you have the necessary skills to support kinship foster carers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to showcase your organisational skills and ability to manage a caseload under tight deadlines. We value candidates who can demonstrate their time management strategies and how they prioritise tasks to meet urgent needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Children’s Social Worker – Shropshire – Fostering (Kinship) – £30.57
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly with children and kinship fostering. Emphasise any specific qualifications or training that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting looked after children and your understanding of kinship fostering. Mention specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills and commitment.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills such as assessment, supervision, and report writing. Mention your ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, as these are crucial for this role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashberry Recruitment
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with children and families. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to child welfare and how you’ve positively impacted the lives of young people.
✨Demonstrate Your Assessment Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with kinship fostering assessments and how you approach them. Highlight your ability to produce high-quality reports and assessments, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Talk about your experience working in a team environment, especially in social work settings. Mention how you’ve contributed to team development and supported colleagues, as collaboration is key in this role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may involve challenging situations with foster carers or children. Think through your responses using a reflective and restorative approach, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive issues.