At a Glance
- Tasks: Find loving homes for children in care and match them with suitable foster carers.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to improving children's lives in Kirklees.
- Benefits: Supportive environment, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop specialist skills in permanence and matching.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children by providing stability and a sense of belonging.
- Qualifications: Experience with looked after children and strong relationship-building skills required.
We are looking for an experienced and committed Social Worker to join our Home Finding and Permanence Service, where the focus is simple but vital: finding children not just a placement, but a long-term, loving home. This is a rewarding and specialist role where you will work creatively and proactively to identify foster carers who can provide stability, care and a sense of belonging for our looked after children.
As a Social Worker in our Home Finding Team, you will take a lead role in sourcing and matching long-term fostering homes for children in our care. You will work closely with internal fostering teams and Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to identify carers who can meet children’s individual needs, with a clear focus on achieving permanence.
You will be responsible for bringing together professionals to make well-informed matching decisions, ensuring that every home is thoughtfully considered and built on a strong understanding of both the child and the carer.
Key responsibilitiesIn this role, you will:
- Proactively search for and identify foster carers, both internally and through IFAs, who can offer long-term homes
- Build strong working relationships with Supervising Social Workers and external providers
- Lead on the matching process for children, ensuring careful consideration of their needs, identity and long-term outcomes
- Convene and facilitate matching meetings, bringing together key professionals to inform decision-making
- Prepare and present high-quality matching reports that clearly evidence why a home is the right match for a child
- Maintain a strong focus on permanence, stability and achieving the best possible outcomes for children
We are looking for a Social Worker who:
- Has substantial experience of working with looked after children and permanence planning.
- Understands the importance of matching and the impact it has on stability.
- Is confident in multi‑agency working and building relationships with both internal teams and external providers.
- Has strong analytical and report writing skills, with the ability to clearly evidence professional judgement.
- Is child‑centred in their practice and committed to achieving the right home, not just the next available home.
You will be part of a dedicated and supportive team that is passionate about improving stability and ensuring children experience care that feels safe, secure and permanent. This role offers the opportunity to develop specialist skills in permanence and matching, and to play a key role in shaping the lives of children we care for.
Zana Coultas is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.
Social Worker - Home Finding Team employer: Children's Social Work Matters
Children's Social Work Matters in Hull is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, the organisation offers comprehensive training and development opportunities tailored to all experience levels, ensuring that every social worker can thrive in their role. Located in a vibrant community, employees benefit from a culture that prioritises meaningful outcomes for children and families, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Children's Social Work Matters Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Home Finding Team
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Children's Social Work Matters.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Children's Social Work Matters!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Children's Social Work Matters, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Children's Social Work Matters or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Children's Social Work Matters:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Children's Social Work Matters! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Children's Social Work Matters
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
