At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and ensure children receive safe, nurturing care.
- Company: Join a compassionate not-for-profit fostering agency in Durham.
- Benefits: Up to £46,800 salary, 30 days leave, flexible working, and professional development.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; both full-time and part-time roles welcome.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while being part of a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with at least two years' experience.
The predicted salary is between 46800 - 46800 £ per year.
Location: Durham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time or Part-time
Salary: Up to £46,800 per annum (pro rata, depending on experience)
Make a Difference. Support Foster Carers. Change Children's Lives.
Are you a passionate and experienced Social Worker looking for a rewarding role within a supportive, child-centred fostering service? We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Supervising Social Worker to join a small, friendly and highly supportive fostering team based in Durham. This is an exciting opportunity to join a not-for-profit fostering agency that places children at the heart of everything it does. We believe that the best outcomes for children come from investing in, supporting and valuing the foster carers who look after them. We pride ourselves on strong relationships, manageable caseloads, reflective practice and a genuinely supportive team culture.
Why Join Us?
- Small, manageable caseloads, allowing you to provide meaningful support to foster carers and children.
- Visible, approachable and supportive leadership.
- A collaborative, friendly and values-driven team.
- Regular reflective supervision and ongoing professional development.
- Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- A quiet and comfortable office environment.
- No hot-desking – your own dedicated workspace.
- Robust administrative support, allowing you to focus on social work practice.
About the Role
As a Supervising Social Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting foster carers and ensuring children and young people receive safe, stable and nurturing care. You will build positive relationships with foster carers, children, families, local authorities and other professionals, providing high-quality supervision, guidance and support. Working systemically and collaboratively, you will help ensure that children's needs, wishes, feelings and outcomes remain central to all decision-making. You will also contribute to foster carer assessments, recruitment, training, placement matching and the ongoing development of the fostering service.
Key Responsibilities
- Foster Carer Support and Supervision
- Provide regular, structured supervision and ongoing support to foster carers.
- Develop individualised support packages for foster carers and young people.
- Ensure children's safety, welfare and outcomes remain central to practice.
- Undertake unannounced visits in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Prepare reports and attend children's reviews, meetings and other professional forums.
- Assessments and Reviews
- Complete Form F foster carer assessments and present assessments to fostering panel.
- Contribute to foster carer reviews and ongoing assessments.
- Participate in placement matching and prepare matching reports.
- Monitor placement plans, care plans and children's health and educational outcomes.
- Recruitment and Training
- Contribute to the recruitment and assessment of prospective foster carers.
- Support the training and development of foster carers, their families and support networks.
- Help foster carers develop their skills, confidence and knowledge.
- Teamwork and Service Development
- Actively participate in team meetings and service development.
- Promote open communication, collaboration and reflective practice.
- Work effectively with colleagues and external professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children.
- Support Line
- Participate in the 24-hour foster carer support line rota.
- Recording and Compliance
- Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments and reports.
- Ensure practice complies with relevant legislation, Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people in care.
- Caring, committed and genuinely child-centred.
- Confident in building positive relationships with foster carers, children and professionals.
- A supportive, encouraging and reflective practitioner.
- Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
- A positive team player who brings integrity, commitment and a sense of humour to their work.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker (CQSW, CSS, DipSW or equivalent).
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Minimum of two years' post-qualifying experience.
- Experience of assessments, report writing and supporting carers or families.
- Good working knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with appropriate business insurance.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience within fostering or family placement services.
- Practice Educator qualification.
- Experience delivering training or facilitating group work.
- Experience contributing to placement matching and support planning.
What We Offer
- Salary up to £46,800 per annum, negotiable depending on experience.
- 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- Mileage allowance.
- Regular supervision and ongoing professional development.
- Supportive and approachable management.
- A positive, collaborative working environment.
- Company pension.
- Flexible benefits package.
- Free on-site parking.
- Sick pay.
Additional Information
This role requires some flexibility to participate in evening and weekend duties, including the 24-hour foster carer support line rota. Flexible working arrangements are available, and both full-time and part-time applications are welcomed.
Interested? If you are an experienced, compassionate Social Worker who wants to be part of a small, supportive fostering team where your work genuinely makes a difference, we would love to hear from you.
Supervising Social Worker - Durham employer: Howard Finley
Howard Finley offers an exceptional work environment for a Dental Receptionist in New Malden, where you will be part of a modern private practice that prioritises patient care and team collaboration. With a friendly atmosphere, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to employee well-being, this role provides a rewarding experience in a supportive setting. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life schedule from Monday to Friday.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker - Durham
✨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 Howard Finley.
✨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 Howard Finley!
✨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 Howard Finley, 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 Howard Finley 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 - Durham
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 Howard Finley:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Howard Finley! 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 Howard Finley
✨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.
