At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support foster care teams to ensure positive outcomes for children.
- Company: Fosterplus, a dedicated independent fostering agency with 25 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, generous leave, pension, and health plans.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team committed to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and promote stability in fostering.
- 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
Fosterplus is currently seeking a qualified and experienced social worker with considerable experience of working with Children Looked After and foster parents. The successful applicant should have a good understanding of the relevant legislation, regulations and fostering standards. In addition, this unique role will promote a culture across the agency that recognises the impact of trauma, abuse and neglect on children and young people. As such, the successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of trauma-informed approaches and the application within fostering services. Supervisory or management experience within a social work setting is desirable, to support and promote the effective functioning of the registration. You will need 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 and you will need to be able to demonstrate this throughout the role. You will need excellent communication skills and the ability to build, maintain and develop positive working relationships with children/young people, foster parents and differing professionals to include colleagues internal and external to the agency. There is also a requirement that you are able to work occasional evenings and weekends, where required, to meet the needs of the agency.
Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent.
Experience of working with children and young people, to include Children Looked After.
A 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
- To support and deputise for the Registered Manager, as needed.
- To 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.
- To work in partnership with children, young people, foster parents, applicants and other professionals, internal and external to the agency, to ensure safeguarding and positive outcomes for children are paramount.
- The successful candidate will join an out-of-hours rota of a small team of managers who provide managerial support to SSWs, enabling them to support foster parents when the offices are closed.
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, on 07739592057. 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 employer: Fosterplus
Fosterplus is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating positive and stable family environments for children and young people in care. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and trauma-informed practices. Join our compassionate team in Long Eaton, where your expertise and leadership can truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker - Fostering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience in fostering. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on trauma-informed approaches and relevant legislation. We want you to showcase your expertise and how it aligns with our mission at Fosterplus. Practice answering common questions and think of examples from your experience that highlight your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions during the interview! This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if Fosterplus is the right fit for you. Ask about the team culture, support for foster parents, and how they handle challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Social Worker - Fostering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with Children Looked After and fostering standards. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of providing stable family environments for children.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves supervisory responsibilities, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've supported and developed team members in previous roles, as this is key for us at Fosterplus.
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Trauma-Informed Approaches:We’re looking for someone who understands the impact of trauma on children and young people. Be sure to include any relevant training or experiences that showcase your knowledge in this area, as it’s crucial for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this meaningful opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fosterplus
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and fostering standards. Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed approaches, as this role heavily focuses on understanding the impact of trauma on children and young people.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your supervisory or management experience. Think about times when you've successfully led a team or supported foster parents to reach their full potential, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Build Rapport
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to build positive relationships with children, foster parents, and professionals. Consider role-playing scenarios to help you feel more comfortable during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Real-Life Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific challenges in fostering, ensuring you convey your commitment to safeguarding and positive outcomes for children.
