At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead recruitment of foster carers and support their journey from inquiry to approval.
- Company: Join the UK's largest fostering charity, dedicated to providing loving homes for children.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, salary progression, 31 days holiday, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel; includes training opportunities and a focus on community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a caring and ambitious team.
- Qualifications: Must have social work experience in fostering and a relevant degree.
The predicted salary is between 44756 - 49729 £ per year.
Fostering Social Worker
Salary: £44,756 per year (rising to £49,729 after 18 months)
Additional Allowances:
- £750 per year Homeworking Allowance
- £4,184 per year London Weighting (if eligible)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based, with travel in East, North and West London, Essex and Hertfordshire
***Required social working experience within fostering!!***
- A social working degree is a must
About Us
We are the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity. For over 30 years, we’ve provided safe, loving homes for children and young people who need them most.
As a charity, we don’t make a profit – everything we do is focused on supporting our foster carers and the children in their care. Our values guide our work every day, helping us make a real difference in young lives.
The Role
We’re looking for a motivated and caring Fostering Social Worker to lead our work in finding new foster carers across East, North and West London, Essex and Hertfordshire.
You’ll manage a small team and work closely with colleagues to make sure people interested in fostering have a great experience from first contact through to assessment. You’ll also help promote fostering in the community and support our goal of giving more children a safe, stable home.
What We Offer
- A supportive, flexible working environment
- Salary progression after 18 months
- £750 per year for homeworking costs
- London Weighting if eligible
- 31 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension and employee benefits
- The chance to make a real difference in children’s lives
- Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
- Menopause Policy and free Menopause Clinician Appointments. • Stakeholder Pension Scheme (salary sacrifice). • Fantastic learning and development opportunities for all roles.
What You’ll Do
- Manage local foster carer recruitment in line with our local strategy.
- Make decisions about whether people who enquire are suitable to move forward with an application.
- Respond to all enquiries quickly and efficiently, making sure no one is left waiting too long.
- Increase our visibility in local communities by leading and attending recruitment events.
- Work closely with local foster carers to help organise and run events and activities.
- Oversee and manage all new enquiries, including carrying out initial home visits with potential foster carers.
- Lead Skills to Foster training sessions and support applicants with their pre-approval learning and development.
- Supervise and support a small team, including a Recruitment Officer and/or Assessing Social Workers.
- Review and quality-check assessments, helping to make clear and confident decisions in more complex cases.
- Make sure all assessments are completed on time and to the high standards we expect.
- Ensure all recruitment meets regulations and our high standards
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about helping children and young people
- Experienced in recruitment (ideally in fostering or social care)
- A confident leader who can support and motivate others
- Good at building relationships with different people and groups
- Able to use data to improve how we recruit
- Organised and able to work from home and travel locally
It’s a bonus if you have a background in social work or have worked in a charity before.
Our Values
We are:
- Child-focused – we put children at the heart of everything
- Caring – we act with kindness and compassion
- Fair and inclusive – we treat everyone with respect
- Transparent – we are open and honest
- Ambitious – we aim high for the children and carers we support
If this is something you would be interested in, please apply via email melissa@everpool recruitment.com or call Melissa Powell on 07561 705 697.
Fostering Social Worker in Luton employer: Everpool Recruitment
As the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive and flexible work environment that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With competitive salary progression, generous holiday allowances, and a strong focus on professional development, we offer a unique opportunity for Fostering Social Workers to thrive while working from home and engaging with local communities across East, North and West London, Essex, and Hertfordshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the fostering and social work sectors. Attend local events or workshops related to fostering, as this can help you meet potential colleagues and learn more about the community's needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in fostering. Understanding current policies will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in recruitment and how it relates to fostering. Think of specific examples where you've successfully engaged with potential candidates or improved recruitment processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by sharing experiences where you've motivated a team or led initiatives. Highlighting your ability to support and inspire others will align well with the role's requirements.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Social Worker in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant social work experience, particularly in fostering. Emphasise any leadership roles or community engagement activities that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for helping children and young people. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage recruitment and support foster carers.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Clearly state your social work degree and any additional qualifications or training related to fostering. This will help demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Showcase Your Values:In your application, reflect on how your personal values align with those of the charity. Discuss your commitment to being child-focused, caring, and inclusive, as these are key attributes they seek.
How to prepare for a job interview at Everpool Recruitment
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
Make sure to express your genuine passion for helping children and young people during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a career in fostering social work, as this will resonate with the charity's values.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Fostering Social Worker, you'll be managing a small team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully motivated and supported others in previous roles. Highlight any relevant experiences in recruitment or team management.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making skills and ability to handle complex cases. Think about past situations where you had to make tough decisions or manage challenging relationships, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Communities
Since the role involves increasing visibility in local communities, do some research on the areas you'll be working in. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with these communities and promote fostering effectively, showcasing your understanding of local needs.
