Social Worker – Fostering Team South in Basildon

Location: Basildon

Working Style: Part time position 3 days per week Monday to Wednesday (22.2 hours per week)

The role of Supervising Social Worker within Fostering:

As a supervising social worker in a busy fostering team, the role will require the support, monitoring and development of local authority foster carers in accordance with the 2011 National Minimum Standards for Fostering and Fostering Service regulations to safeguard the wellbeing of Children in Care. There is an expectation that the post holder will co-lead some training events for foster carers and undertake updated assessments of carers when change of circumstances occur. Good report writing is required.

Some other duties also include:

• Supporting foster carers through regular home visits and telephone contact, including at least one unannounced visit every year.
• Monitor and review the care provided by foster carers to children placed in their care, ensuring that they provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for children and young people in their care and in accordance with the requirements of Fostering National Minimum Standards.
• Ensure that foster carer’s annual household reviews are completed within timescales and follow Fostering Panel processes, as required.
• Support foster carers through complaints procedures and child protection procedures, as required.
• Participate in the matching process when children and young people are placed with foster carers, to ensure the best possible match and to identify any gaps in a match and offer support accordingly.
• Ensure that foster carers receive all appropriate documentation regarding each child or young person placed and to ensure that foster carers keep good records and file all confidential documents securely.
• Ensure that foster carers are receiving the statutory support from the child/young person’s social worker and other professionals involved and to address this appropriately, if it is not the case.
• Work with foster carers to encourage and support contact for children and young people in accordance with their care plans.
• Assists the foster carer in ensuring that children and young people are heard in reviews, planning and in pursuing any complaints.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
• A recognised social work qualification: Diploma, degree or master’s in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England as a registered social worker.
• Evidence of continuing professional development aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance, specially related to Homelessness.
• Experience/ability chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi‑agency professionals.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children, young people and families.
• In depth understanding of delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
• Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Benefits:

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

Disability Confidence & EEO:

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Safeguarding Statement:

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.