At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and guide foster carers to ensure children experience stability and positive outcomes.
- Company: Kent Fostering, dedicated to improving the lives of children in care.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive team focused on fostering positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding field.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with strong communication and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 40000 £ per year.
Kent Fostering has a clear and ambitious vision to increase the recruitment of foster carers from within our local communities. We are committed to strengthening our support offer to foster carers across the county, improving retention, and developing carers’ skills and knowledge to ensure children experience stability, safety, and positive outcomes.
As part of ongoing developments within the service, the East Kent 2 Fostering Support Team is currently recruiting to a full‑time Social Worker vacancy. This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and forward‑thinking team at a time of positive change within Kent Fostering. Our service continues to evolve to meet the diverse needs of children in care. As part of this, we are supporting foster carers who care for children with disabilities. While experience in this area would be beneficial, it is not essential, and we welcome applications from practitioners committed to developing their knowledge and skills in this field.
About the role
- Provide high‑quality supervision, support, and guidance to foster carers and their families
- Deliver and contribute to training that enhances carers’ skills and confidence
- Work in partnership with fostering assessment teams to support the recruitment of new foster carers across Kent
- Promote placement stability by supporting carers to build strong, therapeutic relationships with children
- Support foster carers to understand the meaning behind children’s behaviour, using trauma‑informed and relationship‑based approaches to guide effective responses
You will be joining a team that is focused on strengthening placement stability and supporting carers to provide nurturing, resilient homes for children and young people.
About you
You will be a qualified Social Worker with a passion for fostering and supporting carers to achieve the best outcomes for children. You will bring:
- Strong relationship‑building and communication skills
- A commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning
- The ability to work collaboratively within a multi‑agency context
- A child‑centred and trauma‑informed approach
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England. This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.
This post is considered by KCC to be a customer‑facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the role.
We are currently seeking to recruit 1 full‑time Social Worker within the East Kent 2 Fostering Support Team. Interview date(s): 15th July at St Peter’s House.
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Fostering Social Worker in Broadstairs employer: Kent County Council
Kent Fostering is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, where social workers can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to professional development, our team benefits from ongoing training and collaborative opportunities, ensuring that every employee can enhance their skills and contribute to positive outcomes in the community. Located in East Kent, we offer a dynamic workplace that values diversity and encourages innovative approaches to fostering care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker in Broadstairs
✨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 Kent County Council.
✨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 Kent County Council!
✨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 Kent County Council, 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 Kent County Council 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 Fostering Social Worker in Broadstairs
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 Kent County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kent County Council! 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 Kent County Council
✨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.
