At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower foster carers and young people across Cornwall and Plymouth.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a leading fostering agency with an outstanding Ofsted rating.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, generous leave, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and professional registration.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a supportive team and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 29951 - 29951 £ per year.
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is seeking a Supervising Social Worker to support and empower foster carers and young people across Cornwall and Plymouth.
Salary: £29,951.65 per annum
Benefits: £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 days with length of service + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan (all benefits pro rata)
Location: Hybrid - supporting foster carers across Plymouth and Cornwall
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding - 2026
We welcome applications from newly qualified social workers looking to begin their career within fostering. This is an excellent opportunity to join Foster Care Associates and develop your professional skills within a supportive and experienced team.
Our experienced colleagues will support and mentor you throughout your journey, ensuring you have the resources and confidence to develop in your role. You will also be supported through the CPEL programme, which we deliver in partnership with universities.
About Us: Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. Our purpose remains the same: to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities.
About the Role:
- Support foster carers and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care.
- Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of foster carers, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and young people.
- Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in FCA policies and procedures.
- Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster carers in line with FCA's Operational Standards.
- Work in partnership using a team parenting approach to identify and meet needs within foster families, e.g. respite, activities, therapy and holidays, contributing to relevant meetings and tasks.
- Ensure each child and foster carer is fully compliant in respect of all key documentation.
- Attend meetings and/or provide reports for commissioning teams to address individual packages of care.
- Promote participation of children and young people in the development of the agency and access to local resources and opportunities.
- Participate in an 'out of hours' support service on a rota basis.
- Undertake occasional initial home visits and Form F Assessments.
You Must Have:
- A Social Work qualification.
- Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent.
- Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing.
- A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures.
- The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away).
- Confidence in transporting children and young people in sometimes challenging situations.
- Full driving licence.
If you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Naomi Pollard, Registered Manager.
No agencies please. Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
Locations
Supervising Social Worker in Devon, Exeter employer: FCA
Contact Detail:
FCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Devon, Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Foster Care Associates on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Supervising Social Worker. We want to hear your passion for fostering!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during the interview. Bring examples of your report writing and any relevant legislation knowledge. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your expertise!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at FCA.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker in Devon, Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly. It’s important to understand what we’re looking for in a Supervising Social Worker so you can tailor your application accordingly.
Showcase Your Skills: When writing your application, highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the role. We want to see how your background makes you a great fit for supporting foster carers and children.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application! We value fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and why you’re passionate about fostering.
Apply Through Our Website: Once you’ve polished your application, head over to our website to submit it. This ensures that your application goes directly to us, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Foster Care Associates' mission and values. Understand their approach to fostering and be ready to discuss how your own values align with theirs. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare specific examples from your training or previous experiences that demonstrate your ability to support foster carers and children. Highlight your report writing skills and knowledge of child safeguarding procedures, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, the induction programme, or the CPEL support. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Finally, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The team at Foster Care Associates values fresh perspectives, so be authentic and share your passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children and families. It’s all about finding the right match!