Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Ashurst, Hampshire

Base Location: Ashurst, Southampton

Salary: Up to £39,500 per annum

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

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:

Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years of fostering experience and we’re still going strong! The founder members recognised that looked after children - especially those who’d had very difficult starts in life - needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that’s what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.

Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what’s known as a 'therapeutic approach' to fostering and it’s something that we pioneered.

Requirements:

• ISP Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker or Senior Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills.
• We ask our Social Workers to take a collaborative approach with foster parents in order to promote meaningful and relevant supervision of placements.
• Experience of working with foster parents as professional colleagues and working within a multi-discipline arena is essential, as is holding a full driving licence and having unrestricted access to your own car.
• This is a demanding position which includes both a quality assurance role to maintain high standards and a training role to prospective and current foster parents.
• You will be an excellent report writer and able to work to strict deadlines.
• Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent.
• Previous experience of children and families social work.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to children's services as well as publications.
• Full driving licence with unrestricted access to your own car.

Responsibilities:

• Direct support of foster parents within a realistic caseload which enables a high level of supervision.
• Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents, enabling and monitoring their practice and ensuring their compliance with regulatory standards.
• To work in partnership with children, young people and foster parents and other professionals, local authorities and stakeholders, enabling full participation in assessment, planning, review and decision-making relating to safeguarding and child protection.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by ISP.

ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.