Supervising Social Worker in Stafford

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.

About the Role

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 email on info@familyfosteringpartners.co.uk 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 to help them develop the skills and competencies required to care for children and young people.
• Ensure Foster Parents engage fully with, and benefit from, the supervision process.
• Undertake additional support visits and other forms of contact as required, taking into account the needs of all household members.
• Support Foster Parents at all relevant professional meetings, ensuring they are well‑prepared and appropriately represented.
• 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 in line with Family Fostering Partners’ requirements.
• 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 and Family Fostering Partners’ policies and procedures.
• Alert the Fostering Manager to any concerns regarding a Foster Parent’s performance and assist in developing and implementing performance improvement plans.
• Report any child protection or safeguarding concerns immediately to the Fostering Manager, in line with Local Authority and Family Fostering Partners’ safeguarding policies and procedures.

Training of Foster Parents

• Complete their induction into the fostering service, ensuring they are fully introduced to the organisation and understand its expectations.
• Use supervision to actively monitor learning and develop tailored training plans for continuous professional development, providing support to help Foster Parents evidence their competencies.
• Promote attendance at post‑approval training, Foster Parent Support Groups, and other learning events to ensure Foster Parents meet their contractual obligation.

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’. Supervising Social Workers are expected to see and speak with each child alone at least every third visit to the fostering household.
• Provide support in relation to their care needs, including helping them access advocacy services and their Local Authority Social Worker when required.
• Secure access to appropriate services by negotiating with, and where necessary challenging, other professionals and organisations to ensure their needs are met.
• Provide each child with an age‑appropriate copy of the Family Fostering Partners Children’s Guide and, where appropriate, reviewing it with them to support their understanding.
• Deliver one‑to‑one work with children when required, which may include life‑story work or preparation for adoption.
• Support and assist in the facilitation of young people’s and children’s forums and activities, contributing to Family Fostering Partners’ commitment to involving children in shaping service delivery.
• Immediately alert the Fostering Manager, or any other appropriate authority, to any matters requiring urgent action, including child protection concerns or whistleblowing issues.

Finding and Supporting Suitable Homes for children

• Participate in the matching process for children, ensuring all placement matches align with Foster Parents’ approval terms and agency policy.
• Obtain contractual paperwork and CLA documentation from placing Local Authorities in a timely manner to enable appropriate administration, Foster Parent preparation, support, and supervision.
• Work collaboratively with Local Authority representatives to ensure they fulfil their obligations to children placed with our foster families, promoting positive and effective working relationships.
• Represent Family Fostering Partners at Children’s Looked After Reviews and at other relevant meetings.
• 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 by assisting Local Authorities in developing support plans and connecting young people with appropriate local organisations.
• Assist in the timely and accurate completion of Foster Parent Reviews and any additional documentation required by the Foster Panel.

Growing the Organisation

• Professionally represent the agency in all direct contacts with Local Authority Social Services and any other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of promotional and marketing materials.
• Act as an ambassador for the agency at local and national events and forums, as required.
• Support preparation for, and participation in, regulatory inspections conducted by CIW and/or OFSTED.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Social Work Degree or equivalent qualification, for example CQSW or DipSW: 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 and have access to a car: Essential
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing at all levels: Essential
• Good time management and organisational skills: Essential
• Good computer literacy skills and the ability to confidently use virtual platforms to engage with foster parents and children: Essential
• Ability to challenge foster parents on unsafe or concerning behaviour and promote reflective practice to drive positive change: Essential
• Ability to work with foster and birth parents to support children’s development using tailored therapeutic parenting strategies: Essential
• Ability to be reflective of own practice and areas for development: Essential
• Able to respond flexibly to the demands of the post and prioritise and meet deadlines: Essential
• Understanding responsibilities in protecting your own health, safety, and wellbeing, and that of your colleagues and others: Essential
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team: Essential
• Ability to produce work to deadlines and work under pressure: Essential
• High level of personal integrity and commitment to confidentiality: Essential
• Commitment to promoting equal opportunities and diversity: Essential