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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support foster parents while making a real impact on children's lives.
- Company: Join FCA, a trusted fostering agency dedicated to transforming the lives of looked after children.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car or allowance, 30+ days off, and great perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that values excellence and community impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for helping children and families are essential.
- Other info: This role is home-based, allowing flexibility while supporting various locations.
The predicted salary is between 30338 - 41052 £ per year.
Job Description
FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA)
Role: Senior/Supervising Social Worker
Basic Salary: £30,338 – £41,052 per annum dependent upon experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 day's with length of service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan.
Office Location: Home Based supporting Foster Parent across Croydon, Wandsworth, Surrey, Streatham, Beckenham, Kingston & Thornton Heath.
ABOUT US
Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community – one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers.
The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that's still where our Head Office is today.
We've come a long way since those early days and, over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence, and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same; 'to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities', and it's underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential.
Today, we're one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we're large doesn't mean we're impersonal. At FCA we're one big family, and we're committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.
DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:
- Support foster parents and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care.
- Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of Foster parents ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children/young people.
- Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in the FCA policies and procedures.
- Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster parents in line with FCA's Operational Standards.
- Work in partnership in a team parenting approach to help identify any needs within the foster family e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays, with all members of the child's network, including contributing to all relevant meetings and any other tasks defined.
- Ensure each child and foster parent are fully compliant in respect of all key documentation.
- Attend meetings and/or provide reports for Commissioning Teams to address individual packages of care.
- Promote participation of children/young people in the development of the agency and in accessing resources and opportunities in their local community.
- Participate in an 'out of hours' support service on a rota basis
- Participate in day 'duty system' on a rota basis supporting referrals team
- Undertake occasional initial home visits and Form F Assessments.
YOU MUST HAVE:
- A Social Work qualification
- Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent
- Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing
- A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures
- The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away)
- Confidence with transporting children and young people in sometimes stressful/difficult situations
- Full driving licence
For more information about this post please contact Rachel Ealing, Fostering Service Manager on 07967 381026.
To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch.
No agencies please.
Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
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Senior/Supervising Social Worker employer: FCA
Contact Detail:
FCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Supervising Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific challenges and needs of foster care in the areas we serve, such as Croydon and Wandsworth. Understanding local issues will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness to make a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former social workers in the fostering sector. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the culture at FCA, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any experience you have with multi-agency collaboration. FCA values teamwork, so showcasing your ability to work effectively with other professionals will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to supporting foster parents and children. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles, as this will resonate with our mission to create lasting positive change.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Supervising Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Senior/Supervising Social Worker position. Understand the responsibilities and requirements, and think about how your experience aligns with them.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in social work, particularly in fostering or child welfare. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements in similar roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for fostering and your commitment to making a positive impact on children's lives. Mention why you want to work with Foster Care Associates specifically and how you can contribute to their mission.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Understand the FCA's Mission
Before your interview, make sure you fully understand the mission and values of Foster Care Associates. They are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of looked after children, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Experience
As a Senior/Supervising Social Worker, your experience is crucial. Be ready to share specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your skills in supporting foster parents and working with children in care. Highlight any leadership or supervisory roles you've held.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about challenging situations you've faced in your career and how you handled them, especially in relation to fostering and child welfare.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the role and the organization. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you determine if FCA is the right fit for you.
