At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct annual reviews for foster carers and ensure high standards in fostering services.
- Company: Join Five Rivers, a supportive team dedicated to exceptional outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Flexible home-based role with travel, professional development, and a focus on trauma-informed care.
- Other info: Opportunity to champion trauma-informed practices and contribute to service development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while promoting nurturing and therapeutic environments.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, experience in fostering, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
This is a home-based role with travel across the Westcountry region as required.
The successful candidate will undertake foster carer first annual reviews and other reviews where an in-person meeting is considered beneficial.
You will become part of an experienced and supportive fostering team committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for children, young people, and foster families.
At Five Rivers, we work from a comprehensive
Trauma-Informed (ATIC) model , recognising the significant impact that childhood trauma can have on development, relationships, and wellbeing.
Our integrated approach brings together fostering, residential, education, and clinical services to provide holistic support for children and young people.
This ensures foster carers receive expert guidance and professional support, empowering them to provide stable, nurturing, and therapeutic care environments.
To find out more about our fostering service visit
https://five-rivers. org/fostering/
About the Role
As the Foster Carer Independent Reviewing Officer, you will play a vital role in maintaining high standards across our fostering service through robust and independent oversight of foster carer reviews.
You will work collaboratively with foster carers, supervising social workers, managers, and other professionals to ensure that fostering households continue to meet regulatory requirements while receiving the support necessary to provide high-quality care.
This role requires a reflective practitioner who can balance support and challenge while promoting trauma-informed practice throughout the fostering service.
Key Responsibilities
- Chair and oversee annual foster carer reviews, ensuring all assessments are evidence-based and compliant with fostering regulations and National Minimum Standards.
- Complete first annual foster carer reviews and undertake in-person reviews when appropriate.
- Produce clear, analytical, and high-quality review reports with recommendations for continued approval.
- Evaluate foster carers' strengths, development needs, and training requirements.
- Ensure the voice and experiences of children and young people are reflected throughout the review process.
- Monitor fostering practice and identify areas of excellence and improvement.
- Promote continuous learning and reflective practice among foster carers and professionals.
- Contribute to service development initiatives and quality assurance processes.
- Support the embedding and development of Five Rivers' trauma-informed approach across the fostering service.
- Maintain professional relationships with internal teams, foster carers, local authorities, and external agencies.
- Trauma-Informed Practice at Five Rivers
Our trauma-informed model is at the heart of everything we do.
We understand that children who have experienced adversity require carers and professionals who can respond with empathy, insight, and therapeutic understanding.
- As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will champion trauma-informed practice by:
- Evaluating how trauma-informed approaches are being implemented within fostering households.
- Supporting foster carers to reflect on and develop therapeutic parenting strategies.
- Identifying opportunities for additional support and intervention.
- Promoting an understanding of attachment, resilience, and recovery throughout the review process.
- Helping ensure every child receives care that recognises and responds to their individual experiences and needs.
Essential Requirements
- Recognised Social Work qualification.
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Significant experience within fostering and/or children's social care.
- Strong understanding of fostering regulations, National Minimum Standards, and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Experience of chairing meetings and producing analytical reports.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and professional challenge skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- Right to work in the UK.
Why Five Rivers?
Foster Carer Independent Reviewing Officer - Westcountry employer: Five Rivers Child Care
Five Rivers Child Care is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. Located in Bromsgrove, our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and diversity, providing Independent Panel Members with the opportunity to contribute to vital decisions that shape futures. We offer competitive remuneration for panel participation, alongside a commitment to employee growth and development within the fostering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Foster Carer Independent Reviewing Officer - Westcountry
✨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 Five Rivers Child Care.
✨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 Five Rivers Child Care!
✨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 Five Rivers Child Care, 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 Five Rivers Child Care 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 Foster Carer Independent Reviewing Officer - Westcountry
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 Five Rivers Child Care:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Five Rivers Child Care! 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 Five Rivers Child Care
✨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.
