At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support foster care teams to ensure positive outcomes for children.
- Company: Join Fosterplus, a compassionate agency dedicated to creating stable family environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, car allowance, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Be part of a committed team that values your expertise and leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in fostering and trauma-informed practices.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 47000 £ per year.
Location: Long Eaton
Hours: 35 hours per week, Permanent
Salary: £45,000 - £47,000 per annum, dependent upon experience
Benefits:
- £3,000 Car Allowance
- 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service + bank holidays
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance x2
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
About Us:
Fosterplus was founded in 1996, giving us 25 years' continuous experience as an independent fostering agency. Continuity is important to us, and we look to create it in everything we do - most critically, for the children and young people we look after. Many who enter our care have experienced a disrupted childhood and our aim is to break this cycle and provide more stability. We do this by carefully matching the right foster parents to the right children, and making sure we are always on hand with support, guidance and help. Our expertise helps ensure more successful placements - and that is exactly the sort of continuity we want. This commitment is spelt out in our mission which is to 'provide positive and stable family environments for the children and young people placed with our carers and ensure that, with the support of our carers, they can thrive emotionally and academically'.
Requirements:
- Qualified and experienced social worker with considerable experience of working with Children Looked After and foster parents.
- Good understanding of the relevant legislation, regulations and fostering standards.
- Promote a culture across the agency that recognises the impact of trauma, abuse and neglect on children and young people.
- Thorough understanding of trauma-informed approaches and their application within fostering services.
- Supervisory or management experience within a social work setting is desirable.
- Strong leadership skills, a desire to make a difference and the ability to work autonomously, whilst working effectively as part of a team.
- Safeguarding knowledge is paramount.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build, maintain and develop positive working relationships with children/young people, foster parents and differing professionals.
- Able to work occasional evenings and weekends, where required.
- Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent.
- Experience of working with children and young people, including Children Looked After.
- Comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation that supports fostering and Children Looked After.
- A full driving licence with unrestricted access to your own car.
Responsibilities:
- Support and deputise for the Registered Manager, as needed.
- Supervise team members, as determined by the Registered Manager.
- Support, supervise and promote foster parents to reach their full potential.
- Monitor, promote and ensure compliance with foster parents and staff.
- Work in partnership with children, young people, foster parents, applicants and other professionals to ensure safeguarding and positive outcomes for children are paramount.
- Join an out-of-hours rota of a small team of managers who provide managerial support to SSWs.
If you are seeking a role where your values, expertise and leadership can genuinely shape lives, this is an opportunity to be part of a committed and compassionate team that puts children and young people at the heart of everything we do.
Contact:
For an informal and meaningful conversation about joining Fosterplus, please contact Jenny Huggins, Registered Manager.
No agencies please.
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Fosterplus.
Fosterplus is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Fosterplus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Principal Social Worker - Fostering in Long Eaton employer: Fosterplus
Fosterplus is an exceptional employer, dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for both its employees and the children in its care. With a strong focus on professional development, generous benefits including a £3,000 car allowance and up to 35 days of annual leave, and a culture that values trauma-informed practices, Fosterplus empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable young people. Located in Long Eaton, this role offers the chance to be part of a compassionate team committed to fostering stability and positive outcomes for children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker - Fostering in Long Eaton
✨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 Fosterplus.
✨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 Fosterplus!
✨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 Fosterplus, 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 Fosterplus 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 Principal Social Worker - Fostering in Long Eaton
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 Fosterplus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Fosterplus! 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 Fosterplus
✨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.
