At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in kinship care and conduct assessments for family-based placements.
- Company: Join Swansea Council's dedicated Friends & Family Team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a busy, collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work, particularly in kinship care or fostering.
The predicted salary is between 30.5 - 30.5 £ per hour.
Location: Guildhall, Swansea, SA1 4PE
Contract: 3 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Working pattern: Hybrid – Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday in the office, Monday & Friday working remotely
Pay rate: £30.50 per hour PAYE / £38.43 per hour Umbrella
Employer: Swansea Council
About the Role
Hoop Social Work are currently recruiting for an experienced Social Worker to join the Friends & Family Team within Swansea Council’s Children & Family Services Directorate. This is an excellent opportunity for a Social Worker with experience in kinship care, fostering, connected persons or permanence work to join a specialist and supportive team for an initial 3‑month contract.
About the Team
The Friends & Family Fostering Team is a specialist kinship care service, supporting children who are unable to live with their parents to remain safely within their wider family or friendship network wherever possible. The team undertakes a varied range of assessment, support and permanence work, including:
- Connected Persons and Family & Friends fostering assessments
- Special Guardianship assessments and support reviews
- Viability assessments
- Full fostering assessments
- Annual reviews
- Supervision and support of approved carers
- Providing training and guidance to carers
- Working closely with children, families, social workers, legal representatives and partner agencies
- Contributing to care planning and permanence decisions
You will be joining a busy but supportive service where your experience and professional judgement will contribute directly to achieving safe, stable and nurturing family-based care arrangements for children.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Social Worker who is confident undertaking assessments and working with children, families and carers. You will ideally have experience within kinship care, fostering, connected persons, Special Guardianship or permanence work, although relevant Children’s Social Work experience will also be considered. You will need to be confident managing your own caseload, completing high-quality assessments and working effectively with a range of professionals and family members.
Requirements:
- A relevant Social Work qualification
- Registration with Social Care Wales
- Experience working as a Social Worker in the UK
- A valid driving licence
- Access to your own vehicle
- The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Kinship Fostering Social Worker Swansea employer: Hoop Social Work
Monmouthshire Council is an exceptional employer for Children with Disabilities Social Workers, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With flexible working arrangements, including three days on-site and two from home, and a dedicated consultant to guide you, you'll find a rewarding environment that values your contributions and provides exclusive access to opportunities across South Wales and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kinship Fostering Social Worker Swansea
✨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 Hoop Social Work.
✨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 Hoop Social Work!
✨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 Hoop Social Work, 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 Hoop Social Work 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 Kinship Fostering Social Worker Swansea
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 Hoop Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hoop Social Work! 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 Hoop Social Work
✨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.
