At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents while ensuring the best outcomes for children.
- Company: Family Fostering Partners, a family-owned agency dedicated to high-quality care.
- Benefits: Up to 30 days annual leave, private health cover, and competitive salary.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Social Work Degree and registration with Social Work England required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 34514 - 42656 £ per year.
We are a well‑established Independent Fostering Agency, proudly family‑owned and managed, and supporting foster parents and young people since 2015. Operating across Wales, Herefordshire, the West Midlands, Shropshire and Stoke, we are committed to providing high‑quality care and creating a genuinely supportive, collaborative working environment for our staff.
As our organisation continues to grow, we are looking for a passionate, motivated Social Worker to join our team. This role will focus on supporting foster parents across Shropshire and Stoke.
Benefits of working for us include:
- Up to 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- A further 5 days annual leave after 5 years of service
- Paid staff membership to FosterTalk with employee benefits and rewards
- Free comprehensive private health cover following successful probation
- Competitive mileage rates
- Employer contributory pension scheme
- Low caseloads to allow for high quality support
- High levels of supervision and managerial support
If you are interested in finding out more about the role then we would LOVE to hear from you. Feel free to drop us an e mail to arrange an informal chat or meeting, or to request an application form.
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
- Provide high quality professional support and regular supervision to foster parents.
- Contribute to effective matching that promotes the best possible outcomes for children.
- Prepare clear, comprehensive reports for annual reviews and attend Panel as required.
- Participate in the Out of Hours rota, offering responsive support.
- Undertake Form F assessments and guide applicants through the process.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
General
- Participate in professional supervision as required by the Fostering Manager, contributing to reflective practice and continuous improvement.
- Adhere to all policies, procedures, and established practices of Family Fostering Partners, including administrative and management processes.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practice.
- Commit to ongoing professional development by attending training and actively engaging in agreed learning activities, as directed by the Fostering Manager.
Supporting and Supervising Foster Parents
- Work closely with Foster Parents through regular supervision, ensuring they fully understand their role and responsibilities.
- Identify and record Foster Parents’ development needs within a Personal Development Plan, providing organisational, professional, and personal support.
- Ensure Foster Parents engage fully with, and benefit from, the supervision process.
- Undertake additional support visits and other forms of contact as required.
- Support Foster Parents at all relevant professional meetings.
- Contribute to the organisation and facilitation of Foster Parent Support Groups as needed.
- Play an active role in organising and attending events for foster parents, children, and young people.
- Support Foster Parents in maintaining accurate and compliant records.
- Contribute to the ongoing review, development, and performance monitoring of Foster Parents.
- Ensure placement matches are made and sustained in accordance with each child’s Care and Placement Plan.
- Alert the Fostering Manager to any concerns regarding a Foster Parent’s performance.
- Report any child protection or safeguarding concerns immediately to the Fostering Manager.
Training of Foster Parents
- Complete their induction into the fostering service.
- Use supervision to actively monitor learning and develop tailored training plans.
- Promote attendance at post‑approval training and other learning events.
Recruitment of Foster Parents
- Promote Family Fostering Partners through both formal and informal engagement opportunities.
- Support information‑sharing events, open days, and other recruitment activities.
Working with Children & Young People
- Professionally befriend them and act as a ‘safe person’.
- Provide support in relation to their care needs.
- Secure access to appropriate services by negotiating with other professionals.
- Provide each child with an age‑appropriate copy of the Family Fostering Partners Children’s Guide.
- Deliver one‑to‑one work with children when required.
- Support and assist in the facilitation of young people’s and children’s forums and activities.
- Immediately alert the Fostering Manager to any matters requiring urgent action.
Finding and Supporting Suitable Homes for children
- Participate in the matching process for children.
- Obtain contractual paperwork and CLA documentation from placing Local Authorities.
- Work collaboratively with Local Authority representatives.
- Represent Family Fostering Partners at Children’s Looked After Reviews.
- Provide a service that enables children and young people living in our foster homes to achieve their full potential.
- Support young people leaving care to make a successful transition to adulthood.
- Assist in the timely and accurate completion of Foster Parent Reviews.
Growing the Organisation
- Professionally represent the agency in all direct contacts with Local Authority Social Services.
- Contribute to the development of promotional and marketing materials.
- Act as an ambassador for the agency at local and national events.
- Support preparation for, and participation in, regulatory inspections conducted by CIW and/or OFSTED.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Social Work Degree or equivalent qualification: Essential
- Registration with Social Work England: Essential
- 3 years post qualifying experience of working with children and families in social care setting: Desirable
- Good working knowledge of significant legislation impacting on children and fostering: Desirable
- Excellent understanding of children’s safeguarding needs: Essential
- Experience of completing assessments: Desirable
- Applicants must be a confident driver; hold a valid driving licence & have access to a car: Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally & in writing at all levels: Essential
- Good time management & organisational skills: Essential
- Good computer literacy skills & the ability to confidently use virtual platforms: Essential
- Ability to challenge foster parents on unsafe or concerning behaviour: Essential
- Ability to work with foster & birth parents to support children’s development: Essential
- Ability to be reflective of own practice & areas for development: Essential
- Able to respond flexibly to the demands of the post & prioritise & meet deadlines: Essential
- Understanding responsibilities in protecting your own health, safety, & wellbeing: Essential
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team: Essential
- Ability to produce work to deadlines & work under pressure: Essential
- High level of personal integrity & commitment to confidentiality: Essential
- Commitment to promoting equal opportunities & diversity: Essential
Supervising Social Worker in Basildon employer: Family Fostering Partners
Contact Detail:
Family Fostering Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Basildon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering community or social work field. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the industry. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the agency thoroughly, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and be ready to share specific examples of your work with foster parents and children.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with the hiring team, let your enthusiasm for supporting foster families shine through. Share why you’re drawn to this role and how you can contribute to their supportive environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the position and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for fostering and how it aligns with our values.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Show us how your background fits the role of Supervising Social Worker and why you’re the perfect match for our team.
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and keep your application focused. Avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out, so we can easily see what makes you a great candidate.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Fostering Partners
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Supervising Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the agency's values and how they align with your own. This will help you demonstrate your passion for supporting foster parents and children during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your skills in supervision, assessment, and support. Think about times when you’ve successfully navigated challenges or contributed to positive outcomes for children and families. This will show that you have the practical experience needed for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the agency’s approach to fostering, team dynamics, and professional development opportunities. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the agency is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way. Be honest about your motivations for wanting to work as a Supervising Social Worker and how you can contribute to the agency’s mission. Let your personality shine through; they want to see the real you and how you’ll fit into their supportive environment.