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- Tasks: Support foster carers to ensure the best outcomes for children in Gloucestershire.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council, dedicated to improving children's services and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a welcome payment of up to £4,000.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have social work registration, driving licence, and knowledge of relevant regulations.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; be part of an award-winning team focused on systemic social work.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
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This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
- Job Title: Supervising Social Worker
- Job Location: Forest of Dean
- Hours per Week: 18.5 hours
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Closing Date: 20/07/2025
- Job Requisition Number: 11961
- This post is not open to job share
We are currently recruiting for an experienced and compassionate Supervising Social Worker to support foster carers in delivering the best possible outcomes for children and young people across Gloucestershire on a part time basis.
Reward and support
For all your hard work, you will receive the following:
- welcome payment of up to £4,000* (pro rata)
- retention payment of up to £2,000 per annum* (pro rata)
- flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
- option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- an in-house Occupational Health service
- cycle to work scheme
- links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- career development and qualification opportunities
- access to our Social Work Academy
Right child, right support, right time, every time
We are working together to support families and communities to give every child the best chance of a happy and rewarding life, especially those who need more help.
Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce.
Gloucestershire Children’s Services are improving. Our latest Ofsted inspection (February 2022) identified that:
‘Significant progress has been made in many areas of Gloucestershire’s children’s services… significant financial investment and the backing of political leaders, has led toimproved services that are now more effective in meeting the needs of children and families’.
We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.
About us
Our Fostering Support Team uses high-support, high-challenge, restorative and relationship-based practice. You\’ll work collaboratively with foster carers and professional partners to ensure that every child’s voice is heard and their needs are met.
We are a hybrid team, who work closely with each other and colleagues within the other support teams and colleagues in the commissioning services to ensure best outcomes for children and their families.
About you
As a Supervising Social Worker within our Fostering Support team you will have listening and observational skills are essential to ensure that the child’s lived experience is understood; strong communication skills are essential because our team works with several partner teams and agencies; Problem solving skills, empathy, patience and being able to prioritise work is crucial. You will also have knowledge of the Children Act (1989), Fostering Regulations (2011) and Fostering National Minimum Standards (2011) is essential.
As well as your experience,there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:
- social work England/Wales registration
- a full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance
How to apply
We reserve the right to close an advertisement earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a suitable number of applications.
If you would like to find out more about our Children\’s Service please take a look here:
Under the terms of our Safer Recruitment Policy, if you are invited to interview, we will take up safeguarding references prior to your interview to understand your suitability to work with vulnerable children. These references will then be discussed in your interview. Please give details of at least two referees, one of whom must be your present and/or last employer and the other from a previous employer(s). These will need to cover the last three years of employment/education. In the case of applicants leaving full time education or not having worked since doing so, the Head of School, College or University should be one of the named referees.We do not accept references from friends or family members or workplace colleagues (who are not more senior).To ensure we process your application in a speedy and efficient way, we will contact your referees by DocuSign. Where appropriate, please inform them of your application.
Additional Information
To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below:-
This position is subject to a DBS check.
Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire’s diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.
It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.
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Supervising Social Worker employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Contact Detail:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific values and practices of Gloucestershire County Council, especially their focus on systemic social work practice. This will help you align your responses during interviews with their mission and demonstrate your commitment to their approach.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Gloucestershire Children's Services. They can provide valuable insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be beneficial for your interview preparation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with foster carers and other professionals. Highlighting these skills will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current legislation and best practices in fostering and child welfare. Being knowledgeable about the Children Act (1989) and Fostering Regulations will not only boost your confidence but also show your dedication to the field.
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 a Supervising Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the job description and the values of Gloucestershire County Council to tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your relevant experience in social work, particularly in fostering or working with children and families. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in communication, problem-solving, and empathy.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Ensure that you clearly state your qualifications, including your Social Work England/Wales registration and any relevant training. Mention your knowledge of the Children Act (1989) and Fostering Regulations (2011) to show you meet the essential criteria.
Prepare for References: Since references are an important part of the application process, prepare a list of at least two referees who can vouch for your suitability for the role. Make sure one is from your current or last employer and inform them about your application to ensure a smooth reference process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Supervising Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as supporting foster carers and ensuring the best outcomes for children. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the job.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role requires strong communication skills, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with colleagues, foster carers, or other agencies.
✨Highlight Relevant Legislation Knowledge
Make sure to mention your knowledge of relevant legislation, such as the Children Act (1989) and Fostering Regulations (2011). Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you are well-prepared and knowledgeable about the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and observational skills. Think of specific situations you've encountered in your previous roles and how you handled them, particularly those that involved empathy and prioritising the needs of children.
