At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and children, ensuring nurturing and trauma-informed care.
- Company: Join a leading fostering organisation dedicated to transforming lives in Scotland.
- Benefits: Up to £41,960 salary, company car or allowance, 30-35 days leave, and life assurance.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for professional growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and current SSSC registration required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Foster Care Associates Scotland (FCAS) is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and young people through high-quality fostering support and care. We are part of one of the UK's largest and most respected fostering organisations, giving our teams access to exceptional resources, specialist expertise and sector-leading support.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to children, young people and the foster carers who support them across Scotland. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, feel valued and thrive within their community.
Over the past 23 years, we have supported and cared for more than 2,000 children and young people, helping to create brighter futures and lasting positive outcomes. We are also proud to have made a pledge to The Promise Scotland, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to ensuring that care-experienced children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected, with opportunities to reach their full potential.
Our pledge reflects our dedication to embedding the values and ambitions of The Promise across all areas of our work. We are proud that our passion, dedication and high standards have been recognised by Care Inspectorate, who graded our service as 'Very Good'.
Duties Will Include:
- Support foster carers and their families to provide safe, nurturing, trauma-informed care that helps children and young people feel secure, valued and able to achieve positive outcomes.
- Build trusting and supportive relationships with foster carers, promoting reflective practice and helping them develop the skills, confidence and resilience required to meet the individual needs of children and young people.
- Support and monitor the ongoing suitability, wellbeing and development of foster carers to ensure children experience stable, caring and emotionally attuned home environments that promote recovery, growth and learning.
- Ensure foster carers have a clear understanding of the fostering role, trauma-informed parenting approaches, and the standards, policies and procedures expected within FCA Scotland.
- Provide regular supervision and supportive professional guidance to allocated foster carers in line with FCA Scotland Operational Standards.
- Work collaboratively within a team parenting and multi-agency approach to identify and respond to the holistic needs of children, young people and foster families.
- Ensure children, young people and foster carers are supported to maintain all key documentation and plans.
- Attend meetings and contribute written reports for commissioning teams and professional networks.
- Promote the voice, participation and rights of children and young people.
- Participate in an out-of-hours support service on a rota basis.
- Participate in the daytime duty system on a rota basis.
You Must Have:
- A recognised Social Work qualification.
- Current Social Work registration with SSSC.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, analytical and high-quality reports.
- A sound working knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, safeguarding responsibilities and child protection procedures.
- A commitment to trauma-informed, relationship-based practice when supporting children, young people and foster families.
- Flexibility and willingness to travel as part of the role.
- The confidence, resilience and emotional awareness to safely support and transport children and young people.
- A full UK driving licence.
For more information about this post please contact Michelle Trevis Smith, Fostering Service Manager. To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch. No agencies please. Foster Care Associates Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer by the Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a PVG check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Abingdon employer: FCA Scotland
Foster Care Associates Scotland (FCAS) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a supportive remote work culture complemented by generous benefits such as a company car or allowance, extensive annual leave, and opportunities for ongoing training, FCAS fosters a rewarding environment for those passionate about making a difference in children's lives. The chance to work closely with a dedicated team while enjoying the flexibility of remote work makes this role particularly appealing for individuals seeking meaningful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Abingdon
✨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 FCA Scotland.
✨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 FCA Scotland!
✨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 FCA Scotland, 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 FCA Scotland or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Abingdon
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 FCA Scotland:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to FCA Scotland! 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 FCA Scotland
✨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.
