Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster parents and ensure a nurturing environment for children in care.
- Company: Foster Care Associates is a leading fostering agency dedicated to making a positive impact on children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car or allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and more perks.
- Why this job: Join a supportive family-like team committed to helping children reach their full potential.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and professional registration with Social Work England.
- Other info: This role includes home-based work across various locations and requires travel.
The predicted salary is between 30338 - 41052 £ per year.
Job Description
FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA)
Role: Senior/Supervising Social Worker
Basic Salary: £30,338 – £41,052 per annum dependent upon experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 day's with length of service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan.
Office Location: Home Based supporting Foster Parent across Croydon, Wandsworth, Surrey, Streatham, Beckenham, Kingston & Thornton Heath.
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 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 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
- Participate in day 'duty system' on a rota basis supporting referrals team
- 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
- Full driving licence
For more information about this post please contact Rachel Ealing, Fostering Service Manager on 07967 381026.
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 the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
INDCOMHP
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
Make sure to highlight your experience in supporting foster parents and children during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted their lives, as this aligns with FCA's mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with FCA's policies and procedures before your interview. Understanding their operational standards will demonstrate your commitment and readiness to contribute effectively from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of FCA if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your knowledge of child safeguarding legislation. Being well-versed in relevant laws will show that you are serious about the welfare of the children and families you'll be working with.
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 fostering or child protection. Emphasize your qualifications and any specific achievements that align with the role's requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for making a positive difference in children's lives. Mention your understanding of the fostering process and how your skills can support foster parents effectively.
Showcase Your Report Writing Skills: Since the role requires high standards of report writing, consider including examples of reports or documentation you've produced in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to meet the job's expectations.
Highlight Relevant Legislation Knowledge: In your application, mention your comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. This is crucial for the role and shows you are well-prepared for the responsibilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with children and families in foster care. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a positive impact in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Legislation
Be prepared to discuss relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures. Highlight your understanding of how these laws affect the fostering process and the well-being of children.
✨Highlight Your Report Writing Skills
Since producing high-quality reports is crucial for this role, be ready to provide examples of your report writing experience. Discuss any specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle stressful situations. Think about past experiences where you successfully managed difficult circumstances involving children or families.
