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- Tasks: Lead annual reviews for foster carers, ensuring compliance and high standards of care.
- Company: Join Hillingdon Council, dedicated to improving foster care standards and child welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holidays, mental health support, and discounts on leisure activities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your professional skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified social worker with 5+ years in children's social care and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Occasional evening work may be required; travel within the borough is expected.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the role
Make a Difference to Foster Care Standards in Hillingdon
Hillingdon Council is seeking a dedicated Senior Social Worker /Fostering Reviewing Officer to join our fostering service and provide robust, independent oversight of foster carers’ annual reviews. In this vital role, you’ll ensure compliance with statutory regulations and uphold the highest standards of care for children in foster placements.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to service development and quality assurance, ensuring that foster carers offer safe, nurturing, and effective care in line with children’s care plans.
Key Responsibilities
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Chair Annual Foster Carer Reviews: Lead high-quality reviews in accordance with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards, ensuring they are reflective, analytical, and within timescales.
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Promote Best Practice: Ensure the voice of the child, birth children, and foster carers is central to every review.
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Quality Assurance & Compliance: Monitor fostering practice, make recommendations for continued approval, changes, or deregistration, and flag themes for service improvement.
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Decision Making: Provide independent oversight and informed recommendations to fostering panels or management, as required.
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Multi-agency Feedback: Collate and analyse input from social workers, health, education, and other professionals involved in the child’s care.
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Recording & Reporting: Produce timely, high-quality review documentation detailing decisions, outcomes, and actions.
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Safeguarding Oversight: Identify and escalate any safeguarding concerns raised during reviews.
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Training & Development: Support professional development through mentoring and contributing to staff and foster carer training.
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Service Improvement: Participate in audits, reviews, and data analysis to help inform and shape service improvements.
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Partnership Working: Build strong relationships across fostering panels, social work teams, and partner agencies.
About You
Essential:
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Qualified Social Worker (DipSW, CQSW, BA/MA Social Work)
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Registered with Social Work England
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Minimum 5 years’ post-qualifying experience in children\’s social care, including fostering
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Strong understanding of fostering legislation and national standards
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Excellent analytical and decision-making skills
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Proven ability to challenge and support practice
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Desirable:
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Experience chairing meetings or panels
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Prior quality assurance, IRO, or reviewing experience
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Familiarity with performance frameworks and audit processes
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Experience working with fostering panels
Additional Information
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Enhanced DBS check required
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Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary
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Travel within the borough or region expected
If you’re passionate about improving outcomes for children in foster care and have the knowledge and experience to uphold and develop best practice, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and play a key role in shaping the future of fostering in Hillingdon.
About us
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation\’s success.
Recruitment Information
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre-employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- Professional Registration Check
- 5 years of Referencing
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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Senior Social Worker/ Fostering Reviewing Officer employer: Hillingdon Council
Contact Detail:
Hillingdon Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker/ Fostering Reviewing Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards. Understanding these regulations will not only help you in your role but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fostering sector, including social workers and fostering panels. Building relationships can provide valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations or referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in quality assurance and decision-making during the interview. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully challenged practices or contributed to service improvements in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your interpersonal skills by engaging in community events or forums related to fostering. This not only enhances your profile but also demonstrates your passion for improving outcomes for children in foster care.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker/ Fostering Reviewing Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in children's social care, particularly in fostering. Emphasise your qualifications and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities of the Senior Social Worker/Fostering Reviewing Officer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your passion for improving outcomes for children in foster care. Mention your understanding of fostering legislation and how your skills can contribute to service development and quality assurance.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on your post-qualifying experience in children's social care. Provide examples of your analytical and decision-making skills, as well as any experience you have in chairing meetings or panels.
Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills: Since this role requires strong communication and relationship-building skills, include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with multi-agency teams or supported professional development through mentoring.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillingdon Council
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of a Senior Social Worker/Fostering Reviewing Officer. Familiarise yourself with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards, as these will likely be key discussion points.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios related to fostering reviews and safeguarding. Prepare examples from your past experience that demonstrate your analytical skills, decision-making abilities, and how you handle challenging situations.
✨Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills
Given the importance of collaboration in this role, be ready to discuss how you build relationships with foster carers, social workers, and other professionals. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated and worked within multi-agency teams.
✨Show Your Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Discuss your approach to quality assurance and service improvement. Be prepared to talk about any audits or reviews you've participated in and how you've contributed to enhancing practices within your previous roles.
