At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Foster Parents and ensure high-quality care for children in need.
- Company: Fosterplus Scotland, dedicated to providing stable homes for children.
- Benefits: Up to £35,500 salary, car allowance, 30-35 days leave, and pension.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to positive outcomes for young people.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support families.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 35500 - 35500 £ per year.
Location: Prestwick
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday
Salary: Up to £35,500 per annum
Out of Hours Allowance: £150 per week when on call
Benefits:
- £3,000 car allowance per annum
- 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays
- Company pension
- Life Assurance
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
About Us
At Fosterplus Scotland, we believe every child deserves a safe, stable and nurturing home where they can thrive. Fosterplus has 30 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 in our care.
Many children who enter our care have experienced a disrupted childhood, and our aim is to break this cycle and provide greater stability. We do this by carefully matching the right Foster Parents to the right children and making sure we're always on hand with support, guidance and help. Our expertise helps ensure more successful placements - and that's exactly the sort of continuity we want.
This commitment is reflected in our mission: '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.' To provide this continuity, we focus on building and maintaining strong connections.
Fosterplus is part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's leading communities of children's services providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies that have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, alongside residential, education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and we believe in their futures.
About the Role
We're looking for an experienced and passionate Supervising Social Worker to join our dedicated team in Prestwick and support Foster Parents across the Ayrshire region. You'll play a key role in helping children and young people achieve positive outcomes through high-quality foster care within a supportive and highly experienced fostering service.
Role Responsibilities
As a Supervising Social Worker, you will provide professional supervision, guidance and support to Foster Parents, ensuring children and young people receive high standards of care and safeguarding. You'll work closely with Foster Parents, children, local authorities and colleagues to:
- Supervise and support a caseload of Foster Parents
- Undertake Foster Parent assessments, including Form F assessments where required
- Complete annual reviews and present reports to fostering panels
- Identify training and development needs for Foster Parents
- Attend professional meetings and advocate for children and Foster Parents
- Promote participation and ensure the voice of children and young people remains central to practice
- Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with fostering regulations and safeguarding requirements
- Participate in the Out of Hours support rota
About You
- Be a qualified social worker with a recognised social work qualification
- Be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
- Have experience working within children's social care
- Have excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Have a strong understanding of safeguarding practice and current legislation
- Be able to maintain accurate records and complete required visits and reports within specified timescales
- Be able to work independently while contributing positively as part of a team
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle
For an informal conversation about this post, please contact Chrisy Grundy Hoban, Head of Operations, on 07803 649 850.
Fosterplus Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. The successful applicant will be subject to a PVG check, the cost of which will be met by Fosterplus Scotland. Fosterplus Scotland is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert without notification.
Supervising Social Worker in Prestwick employer: Fosterplus
Fosterplus Scotland is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for both its staff and the children in its care. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration. Located in Prestwick, our team thrives in a community-oriented atmosphere, where every member plays a vital role in making a positive impact on the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Prestwick
✨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 Supervising Social Worker in Prestwick
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.
