Independent Social Worker in Cardiff

The Independent Social Worker (Form F Assessor) is responsible for completing all parts of a full British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) Form F Assessment on prospective foster carers and presenting this at the Cardiff Childrens Services Panel.

Initial Assessment Visit

• Where applicants have made an enquiry or applied to foster, you may be asked to undertake an Initial Assessment visit to that applicant's home. This will include:

• Undertaking a thorough initial interview with the applicant. If there are two applicants in one household, both should be included.
• Complete Initial Assessment pro-forma.
• Ensure that the room for fostering has been considered carefully, taking into account guidance provided by Cardiff Childrens Services.
• Complete report/documents and return to Panel Administrator.
• Complete any progress reports and return to Panel Administrator.

Form F Assessment

• There should be no less than six home visits and it would usually be expected that each visit should be no less than 2 hours long.
• Make contact with the applicant within one week of allocation.
• Set up appointments with the applicant, and ensure visits are carried out on time.
• Support the applicant to complete CRB forms at the first visit.
• Meet with prospective carers.
• See joint applicants separately on at least one occasion.
• See applicants' own children individually and depending on age. It is important to evaluate their understanding of the need for self-protection.
• Adult children living away from home should be contacted.
• Ex-partners of applicants should be contacted (in relation to all significant relationships).
• Interview any other adult member of the household or significant adult who is likely to be involved in caring for any children placed.
• Contact Cardiff Childrens Services Panel Administrator responsible for checks and advise to whom CRB forms need to be sent.
• If any offences are shown by the Police check, the applicant's attitude to the offence and explanation should be included in the Form F and a separate Risk Assessment undertaken.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Visit at least three referees (to be decided in advance by Cardiff Childrens Services) and evaluate references.
• Provide a report for each referee visit (signed by the referee to confirm they agree it is an accurate representation of their views).
• Make arrangements to visit the applicant's Local Authority to read their file, if possible and applicable.
• Advise the applicant about the process for medical checks etc.
• Liaise with Cardiff Childrens Services administrative staff about responses received.
• Ensure arrangements for existing foster children are clear.
• Please request Cardiff Childrens Services Policy on what should happen where there is a child in Placement.
• Ensure full details of previous fostering experience are discussed and evaluated in depth, and include case studies of children.
• If applicants have not had previous fostering experience, their previous experience of children needs to be discussed and evaluated alongside their understanding of the fostering task.
• A critical evaluation of strengths and weaknesses in terms of parenting capacity is essential e.g. evaluating what behaviours they have/can potentially handle, their understanding of sexual abuse, their ability/capacity for safe caring/self-protection. Evidence this with specific examples where possible.
• Under family lifestyle, there should not only be a discussion on the attitudes to race and culture, but also sections discussing their attitudes to gender, sexuality and disability.
• If the applicant's interest includes long-term fostering, this should be fully explored and evidenced in terms of understanding.
• Recommendations regarding children to be placed should be specific in terms of age and number. The recommendation will have been decided in advance in discussion between the applicants and the Agency.
• The recommendation should include reason for this recommendation, which should be assessed in relation to their previous fostering or related experience.
• Matching considerations should be evaluated thoroughly.
• It is also important to evaluate the applicant's understanding/attitude to contact with the birth family.
• All information given should be critically analysed.
• The social work assessment is an important summary of your assessment; it should therefore be in depth, with clear reasons given for the recommendations you are making.
• Chronology should include months and years.
• Health & Safety checklist and Safe Caring Plan to be completed with the Applicants.
• Complete the Form F. Proofread and check before passing to Cardiff Childrens Services. Check grammar and spelling. Ensure you have filled in all boxes.
• Details on responses to checks to be obtained from Cardiff Childrens Services administrative staff.
• Take completed Form F to carers for agreement and signature.
• Attend regular discussions meetings about progress with designated manager within Cardiff Childrens Services.
• Completed signed Form F to be with designated Manager 2 ½ weeks before Panel date.
• All handwritten notes should be passed to Cardiff Childrens Services, as well as any documents.
• Compile a short profile on the applicants.

Terms and Conditions

The Independent Social Worker (Form F Assessor) is responsible for the completion of all parts of a full British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) Form F Assessment on prospective foster carers and present this at the Cardiff Childrens Services Panel. The fee for this piece of work is set by the Director and is stated below under Schedule of Fees. The post holder will be expected to have regular contact with their designated Supervisor at Cardiff Childrens Services during the assessment whereby appropriate consultation will be provided either by telephone or in person. The Form F should be completed to a professional standard and any recommendations made by the panel, on any additional information required, should form part of this work. This will be an expectation prior to payment.

Standard of Dress / PPE

Business Casual

Education & Training

CQSW, DipSW or BA in Social Work Registration with Care Council for Wales / GSCC

Specific Experience

• Knowledge and experience of working with Looked After Children or experience of working within a fostering service.
• Extensive experience of completing in-depth, evidence-based assessments.
• Knowledge of child care legislation particularly care planning and Child Protection.
• Knowledge and experience of working with children/young people and working in groups.
• Knowledge of National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and Fostering Services Regulations.
• Excellent communication and administrative skills.