At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents, ensuring high standards and compliance.
- Company: Pioneering independent foster care agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Up to £39,500 salary, car allowance, 30-35 days leave, and medical cash plan.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working collaboratively with foster parents.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in children and families social work.
The predicted salary is between 39500 - 39500 £ per year.
Base Location: South London - Cheam
Salary: Up to £39,500 per annum
Contract: Full Time
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 Services 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 South London is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Supervising Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills. We ask our Supervising 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.
Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Croydon employer: Integrated Services Programme
At ISP, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and nurturing employer, dedicated to the professional growth of our Supervising Social Workers in South London. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and a therapeutic approach to fostering, we offer extensive benefits including a generous car allowance, up to 35 days of annual leave, and a comprehensive medical cash plan, all within a culture that values the well-being of both our employees and the children they support.
Contact Details:
Integrated Services Programme Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering community or social work field. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you a heads-up on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to fostering and social work. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. We want you to showcase your passion and commitment to supporting foster parents and children!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at ISP and making a difference in the lives of foster children.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through! We want to see how much you care about supporting children and foster parents. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Supervising Social Worker role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in working with foster parents and multi-disciplinary teams. We love seeing how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at ISP!
How to prepare for a job interview at Integrated Services Programme
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and publications related to children's services. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with foster parents and other professionals, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to work as part of a team and support others in their roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Report Writing Skills
As an excellent report writer, you’ll need to showcase this skill during the interview. Bring along samples of your previous reports or be ready to discuss how you approach writing them, especially under tight deadlines.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations you might face as a Supervising Social Worker. Think about how you would handle challenging scenarios with foster parents or children, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
