Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster families and ensure children thrive in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join Foster Care Associates, 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.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive family culture that values every child and foster parent.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and professional registration with Social Work England.
- Other info: This is a part-time role with flexible home-based working across Sussex and Surrey.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 25000 £ per year.
Job Description
Senior / Supervising Social Worker
Salary: Up to £36,323.65 per annum (dependent on experience)
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' annual leave (rising to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays (pro rata), Life Assurance, Company Pension, On-site Free Parking, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Location: Home-based, supporting foster parents across the Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth
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 service providers.
The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services that 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. However, our purpose remains the same: to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities. This is underpinned by a series of values designed to help children and young people reach their full potential.
Today, we're one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. Despite our size, we remain a close-knit and supportive community. At FCA, we're one big family, committed to supporting every child and foster parent, every day.
Duties Will Include
- Supporting foster parents and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care
- Supporting and monitoring the continued suitability and competence of foster parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment
- Ensuring carers fully understand the fostering task, required competencies and expected standards, including complaints and representation procedures in line with FCA policies
- Providing and recording regular supervision to allocated foster parents in line with FCA's Operational Standards
- Working in partnership using a team parenting approach to identify needs within the foster family (e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays), contributing to meetings and relevant actions
- Ensuring each child and foster parent is fully compliant with all key documentation
- Attending meetings and/or providing reports for commissioning teams regarding individual care packages
- Promoting participation of children and young people in agency development and access to local resources and opportunities
- Participating in an out-of-hours support service on a rota basis
- Participating in the day duty system on a rota basis, supporting the referrals team
- Undertaking 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 safeguarding procedures
- The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional overnight stays)
- Confidence transporting children and young people in potentially challenging situations
- A full UK driving licence
For more information about this post, please contact Caroline Ellis, Registered Manager, on 07967 381058 or Ray Kalaker, Fostering Service Manager, on 07813 054594.
To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch.
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.
JBRP1_UKTJ
Senior/Supervising Social Worker employer: FCA
Contact Detail:
FCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Supervising Social Worker
✨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 demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨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 interviews or discussions about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to support foster parents and children effectively. Highlighting your practical skills and successes in similar roles will make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. This is crucial for the role, so demonstrating your expertise in these areas will show that you are well-prepared and serious about the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Supervising Social Worker
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
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your expertise and commitment to the role.
✨Demonstrate Empathy
As a Senior Supervising Social Worker, you'll be working closely with foster families and children. Share examples from your experience that highlight your ability to empathise and support those in challenging situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated difficult situations in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Report Writing Skills
Since producing high-quality reports is crucial for this position, be prepared to discuss your report writing process. Bring examples if possible, and explain how you ensure clarity and compliance with standards.