At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster families and ensure children thrive in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Foster Care Associates is a leading fostering agency dedicated to making a positive impact on children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company car or allowance, 30-35 days leave, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: This part-time role offers flexibility and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Join a supportive family-like culture focused on helping children reach their full potential.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and professional registration with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 25000 £ per year.
Foster Care Associates (The FCA)
Senior/Supervising Social Worker
Salary: Up to £40,081.10 per annum - dependent upon experience
Benefits:
- Company car or £2,000 car allowance
- 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service plus Bank Holidays
- Life assurance
- Company pension
- On-site free parking
- Employee discount scheme
- Medical cash plan
Office Location: Hybrid - supporting our Foster Parents across Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and surrounding areas, with an expectation to travel to the regional head office in Bromsgrove on occasions.
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding - February 2024
This is an exciting chance to join FCA Midlands and make a real impact. We're looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Senior/Supervising Social Worker to join our inspiring, friendly team and help drive the growth and development of our fostering services across the Midlands. With a Bromsgrove-based office and a flexible hybrid working model, you'll enjoy the freedom to balance office collaboration with working from home.
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.
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.
Duties Will Include
- 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/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 the 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, 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 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/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 willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away).
- Confidence with transporting children and young people in sometimes stressful/difficult situations.
- A full driving licence.
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 an enhanced DBS check.
Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Birmingham employer: FCA
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong emphasis on employee well-being, FCA offers generous benefits including a company car or allowance, extensive annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive, family-oriented work culture. As a home-based role covering East and West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, and the Surrey border, this position allows for flexibility while contributing to meaningful change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Foster Care Associates. Understanding their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families will help you align your responses during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of FCA if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to support foster parents and children effectively. Highlighting your practical skills and successes will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. Showing that you are well-versed in these areas will reassure the hiring team of your competence and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in foster care. Emphasise your qualifications, professional registration, and any specific achievements that align with the duties outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also explains why you are passionate about fostering and how your values align with those of Foster Care Associates. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to support foster parents and children.
Highlight Report Writing Skills:Since the role requires high standards of report writing, include examples of reports or documentation you have produced in previous roles. This could be part of your CV or mentioned in your cover letter.
Showcase Your Knowledge of Legislation:In your application, reference your comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. This can be included in your cover letter or as part of your CV under skills or qualifications.
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Supervising Social Worker. Familiarise yourself with the duties listed in the job description, such as supporting foster parents and ensuring compliance with documentation.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in social work, particularly any relevant roles that involved fostering or working with children. Highlight specific examples where you've made a positive impact.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge
Brush up on relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. Be ready to discuss how you would apply this knowledge in real-life scenarios during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the agency's approach to fostering and how they support their staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
