At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents, ensuring high standards of care and compliance.
- Company: Join the UK's first independent foster care agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Up to £39,500 salary, car allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working collaboratively with dedicated professionals.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children and families social work.
The predicted salary is between 39500 - 39500 £ per year.
Integrated Services Programme (ISP) The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.
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.
Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Southampton employer: ISP
As a pioneering independent foster care agency with over 30 years of experience, ISP offers a supportive and collaborative work environment for Supervising Social Workers in Ashurst, Southampton. Employees benefit from a generous annual leave policy, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including a car allowance and medical cash plan, all while being part of a dedicated team that prioritises the welfare of children and foster parents alike. With a strong commitment to professional development and a therapeutic approach to fostering, ISP is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with fostering. They might know about openings or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of relevant legislation and best practices in fostering. We want you to show that you're not just passionate but also well-informed about the role and its responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to working collaboratively with foster parents and multi-disciplinary teams. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Supervising Social Worker. We want to see how your skills and background fit into our integrated approach to fostering.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through in your written application. We love candidates who are genuinely committed to making a difference in the lives of children and foster parents, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that clearly demonstrate your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at ISP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering and the specific challenges foster parents face. Familiarise yourself with the Integrated Services Programme and how it supports children and families. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and understand its importance.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in social work, especially any work you've done with children and families. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've collaborated with foster parents and other professionals. This will demonstrate your ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and your approach to supervision. Think about how you would handle challenging situations with foster parents or children, and be prepared to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the support systems in place for foster parents or how the agency measures success in placements. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to making a positive impact.
