Part-Time Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Ely

Base Location: Wisbech

Caseload Location: North Cambridgeshire, South Lincolnshire and Wisbech

Salary: Up to £37,000 FTE

Hours: 21 hours per week (three days)

Benefits - all pro-rated:

• £3,000 FTE car allowance, pro-rated for part-time hours
• 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays
• Company pension
• Life Assurance - 2x annual salary
• 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. This gives us nearly 40 years' fostering experience. Our founder members recognised that looked-after children, especially those who had experienced very difficult starts in life, needed specialist support. From the beginning, they placed the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. This is reflected in our name: Integrated Services Programme (ISP). Over time, this circle of support has grown to include a wide range of professionals whom children and Foster Parents can access for support whenever they need it. This includes social workers, fostering advisers, teachers and therapists. These professionals work alongside our Foster Parents and the children they care for, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This therapeutic approach to fostering is something ISP pioneered and continues to place at the heart of its services.

Requirements:

• Qualified and experienced Supervising Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed and understands the important role and skills of Foster Parents.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary environment is essential.
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills and the ability to work to strict deadlines.
• A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Previous experience in children and families social work.
• Previous experience of, or a desire to work within, a therapeutic model of childcare.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards and statutory guidance.
• Experience of working collaboratively with Foster Parents as professional colleagues.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct support to Foster Parents while managing an allocated caseload that enables a high level of supervision and support.
• Provide regular supervision to allocated Foster Parents, supporting and monitoring their practice and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Work in partnership with children, young people, Foster Parents, professionals, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Enable full participation in assessment, planning, reviews and decision-making relating to children and young people.
• Promote and maintain high standards of safeguarding and child protection practice.
• Support the training and development of prospective and current Foster Parents.
• Maintain high-quality records and reports within required timescales.

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.