Social Worker Fostering And Kinship in Windsor

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.

Join our Fostering & Kinship Team in Windsor and Maidenhead on a 12-month fixed-term contract and help provide safe, stable and nurturing homes where children can thrive. As a Fostering & Kinship Social Worker, you'll play a vital role in recruiting, assessing and supporting foster carers and kinship carers, ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to provide the best possible care for children and young people.

About the role:

• You’ll work with prospective and approved foster carers and kinship carers, guiding them through every stage of their journey.
• You’ll undertake a range of assessments, including Form F, Form K, Special Guardianship and viability assessments, while providing supervision, advice and ongoing support to help carers build stable, nurturing homes for children and young people.
• Working as part of a supportive and collaborative team, you’ll contribute to permanency planning, participate in fostering duty services and present assessments to fostering panels.
• You’ll also have opportunities to help shape carer training, support groups and service development, all while working within our strengths-based Signs of Safety practice model to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and families.

About you:

• A recognised Social Work qualification, active Social Work England registration and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Experience completing fostering, kinship or Special Guardianship assessments, or other complex social work assessments.
• Strong relationship-building skills and experience supporting foster carers, kinship carers and partner agencies.
• A good understanding of fostering legislation, safeguarding and permanency planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality assessments and reports.
• A proactive, organised approach with the ability to manage a varied workload and work collaboratively within a supportive team.

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month.
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC.
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension).
• Flexible working options – helping to keep a good work-life balance.
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• A range of staff benefits and discounts.
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.

Important Information:

• Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month.
• Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements.
• Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.
• Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.