Fostering Social Worker

Fostering Social Worker

Bristol Full-Time 38000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support fostering families and ensure the best outcomes for vulnerable children.
  • Company: Join Action for Children, dedicated to improving lives of over 670,000 children annually.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, professional training, paid leave, and a generous pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a passionate, supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
  • Other info: Hybrid role with travel across the Southwest; part-time hours allow for flexibility.

The predicted salary is between 38000 - 42000 £ per year.

Role:Fostering Social Worker

Salary:Circa £38,000 per annum – Plus £700 on call allowance and Homeworkers allowance.

Contract/Hours: Fixed Term until June 2026. Part- time 22.5hrs per week, flexible on the days of the week worked.

Location: Hybrid – Horfield Bristol – You will be expected to travel around the Southwest including remote locations, Working from home on occasions.

Closing Date: Midnight on Thursday 17th of July 2025.

Benefits:

  • Paid annual leave.
  • Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
  • Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
  • Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cove
  • Staff discount portal.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you\’ll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It\’s the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children\’s lives.

A Bit about the Service:

Our three linked services, Fostering Southwest, Fostering Southwest Peninsula and Family Breaks Devon provide high quality foster families to vulnerable children and young people working closely with nearby Action for Children Services.

We offer the highest standard of care-providing carers with excellent training, supervision, and support to achieve the best outcomes for the young people we look after. We strive to provide a good quality of care, always ensuring the young people are the centre of our approach.

A bit about the role:

We are looking for an outstanding Fostering Social Worker who can support placements in the Southwest of England, You will have a small case load of 3-4 families.

How you\’ll help to create brighter futures.

  • Providing professional supervision and developmental support, including advice and guidance to fostering families and working with other professionals where appropriate.
  • Completing complex assessments of applicants to foster, making appropriate recommendations, to ensure the best outcome for children, young people, and families.
  • Supporting fostering families to look after children and young people who have experienced trauma, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to enable them to undertake this complex task within a family home environment, undertaking fostering reviews, providing high quality, analytical reports and presenting to Panel where appropriate, ensuring that children are receiving the best service possible.
  • Being accountable for ensuring statutory compliance and meet regulatory body requirements regarding registration.
  • Enthusiasm for learning and self-development, for yourself as a reflective practitioner, and in support of our carer training.

Let\’s talk about you.

  • A Social Work qualification is essential.
  • Registration with Social Work England is essential.
  • A strong commitment to work within our therapeutic framework to support the needs of the young person.
  • The capacity to plan and prioritise,
  • To use electronic records system and IT effectively
  • Experience of fostering is preferable.
  • Access to transport to travel across the Southwest including some remote locations.

Working here is so much more than a job. Whether this is a career change for you or the next step in your journey, we\’d love to hear from you.

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for thisrole.

Interviews will take place week commencing the 28th Of July 2025 via Microsoft Teams.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We\’d love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you\’d rather we didn\’t.

Contact:Erika Brinkman atrecruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.ukquoting reference 11557.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we\’re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

Weactivelyencourageapplications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Don\’t meet every single requirement?

If you\’re excited about this role but your experience doesn\’t align perfectly with the job description, we\’d love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us onX,Linkedin,FacebookorYouTubeto get to know us better.

See below for further information about working with us:

Job Description

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Make a Difference – A Career in Residential Services

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Fostering Social Worker employer: Action for Children

Action for Children is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children across the UK. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, employees are empowered to grow and thrive while contributing to a noble cause. Located in Horfield, Bristol, this role offers the unique opportunity to work both in the community and from home, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling work-life experience.
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Contact Detail:

Action for Children Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of vulnerable children and the fostering process in the Southwest. Understanding local challenges and resources can help you demonstrate your commitment and knowledge during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former fostering social workers to gain insights into the role and the organisation. This can provide you with valuable information that you can reference in your discussions, showing your genuine interest in the position.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by thinking about real-life scenarios where you've supported families or children in need. Be ready to discuss your approach to complex assessments and how you would handle challenging situations.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your enthusiasm for continuous learning and professional development. Highlight any relevant training or qualifications you have pursued, as well as your willingness to engage in further training offered by Action for Children.

We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Social Worker

Social Work Qualification
Registration with Social Work England
Experience in Fostering
Strong Communication Skills
Empathy and Compassion
Ability to Work with Vulnerable Children
Assessment and Evaluation Skills
Knowledge of Child Protection Legislation
Report Writing Skills
Ability to Work Collaboratively with Other Professionals
Time Management and Prioritisation Skills
IT Proficiency for Electronic Record Keeping
Reflective Practice
Enthusiasm for Learning and Development
Transport Access for Travel

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Fostering Social Worker position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these specific needs.

Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, clearly articulate your passion for working with vulnerable children and families. Provide examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your commitment and ability to support fostering families effectively.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you prominently feature your Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England in your CV. Mention any additional training or experience related to fostering or working with children who have experienced trauma.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in social work.

How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children

✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare

Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting vulnerable children during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as it aligns with the values of Action for Children.

✨Demonstrate Your Social Work Knowledge

Be prepared to discuss your social work qualifications and how they relate to the role of a Fostering Social Worker. Highlight any relevant training or experience you have, especially in fostering or working with children who have experienced trauma.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Think about past experiences where you successfully supported families or children, and be ready to explain your thought process.

✨Familiarise Yourself with the Organisation

Research Action for Children and their approach to fostering. Understanding their mission and values will help you tailor your responses and show that you are a good fit for their team. Mention specific programmes or initiatives that resonate with you.

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