At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower Foster Parents and young people in Cornwall and Plymouth.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a leading independent fostering agency with an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days' annual leave, life assurance, employee discounts, and a medical cash plan.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on the lives of children and families while being part of a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Must have a social work qualification and professional registration with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Role: Senior / Supervising Social Worker
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Salary: Up to £40,081.10 per annum FTE, depending on experience
Covering Area: South West - Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall
- 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service
- Bank holidays
- Life assurance
- Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
- All benefits will be pro-rated
Help transform the lives of children and young people across Cornwall and Plymouth. Join Foster Care Associates, one of the UK's leading independent fostering agencies and part of the Polaris Community. With an Outstanding Ofsted rating and a strong reputation for supporting both children and staff, we're looking for a passionate, highly motivated and enthusiastic Senior / Supervising Social Worker to join our friendly and highly supportive South West team.
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 communities of children's services providers. The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked-after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that's still where our head office is today. We've come a long way since those early days and, over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same: 'to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities', and it's underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential. Today, we're one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we're large doesn't mean we're impersonal. At FCA, we're one big family, and we're committed to supporting every single child and Foster Parent, every single minute of the day.
About the Role
Our friendly South West team is seeking a Senior / Supervising Social Worker to help support and empower Foster Parents and young people within the Cornwall and Plymouth area.
- Support Foster Parents 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 Parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and young people
- Ensure that Foster Parents 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 Parents in line with FCA's Operational Standards
- Work in partnership in a team parenting approach to help identify any needs within the foster family, e.g. respite, activities, therapy and holidays, with all members of the child's network, including contributing to all relevant meetings and any other tasks defined
- Ensure each child and Foster Parent are fully compliant in respect of all key documentation
- Attend meetings and/or provide reports for commissioning teams to address individual packages of care
- Promote the participation of children and young people in the development of the agency and in accessing resources and opportunities in their local community
- 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 South West region covers Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth, so the role may occasionally require the successful candidate to work in these areas as part of the team; therefore, a willingness to travel is essential
- Confidence in transporting children and young people in sometimes stressful or difficult situations
- A full UK driving licence
If you're passionate about improving the lives of children and young people and want to work for an Outstanding fostering agency where you'll be valued, supported and encouraged to develop, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Naomi Pollard, Registered Manager.
No agencies please. Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Read more in Ivybridge employer: FCA
Foster Care Associates (The FCA) is an outstanding employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a supportive work culture, generous benefits including a £2,000 car allowance and up to 35 days of annual leave, employees are encouraged to grow within their roles while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across the South West. Located in Ivybridge, this position offers a unique opportunity to work in a vibrant community dedicated to fostering excellence in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Read more in Ivybridge
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 Read more in Ivybridge
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to FCA! 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
✨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.
