At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster carers, making a real difference to children and families.
- Company: Join Lincolnshire County Council's Outstanding Fostering Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and a supportive environment for personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team shaping the future of fostering.
- Qualifications: Social Work England registered with significant social work experience.
The predicted salary is between 35412 - 42839 £ per year.
Join Lincolnshire County Council's Ofsted-rated Outstanding Fostering Service and make a real difference to children and families across the county.
Your Role
- Assess, support, and supervise foster carers, including those caring for children within kinship arrangements.
- Promote the importance of strong support networks, encouraging carers to access both local authority and external services.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of trauma, loss, separation, and child development, and their impact on children and families.
- Collaborate with multi-agency professionals and attend key meetings to ensure children’s needs are met.
- Bring a trauma-informed, solution-focused approach to complex situations, maintaining a child-centred focus.
- Support recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers.
- Facilitate reflective discussions with foster carers and support their personal development plans.
- Deliver training and contribute to the enhanced training pathway.
- Complete paperwork for fostering panel and other statutory meetings and processes in a timely manner, to an exceptional standard.
What We Offer
- A balanced caseload and a supportive working environment.
- Flexible and hybrid working options.
- Monthly supervision.
- Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
About You
- Social Work England registered practitioner.
- Significant social work experience and an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation including The Fostering Services Regulations & National Minimum Standards (2011).
- Understand and respond to people's unique needs and aspirations, abiding by social work values and practice.
- Strong communicator with excellent organisational and IT skills.
- Proficient in case recording and formal report preparation.
- Committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking, innovative authority that is shaping the future of fostering. You'll join a collaborative team committed to supporting kinship carers and improving outcomes for children. Competitive salary of £35,412- £42,839 (pro rata) + 7% attraction and retention payment paid monthly, along with an extensive benefits package.
A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check. We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Our values - collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible - guide everything we do. We're looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Supervising Social Worker - Fostering Team employer: Lincoln
Cliffedale Primary School is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and supportive environment where dedicated staff can thrive. With well-behaved and motivated children, a talented team committed to professional development, and excellent training opportunities, employees are encouraged to grow and excel in their roles. Located in Grantham, the school fosters a warm community spirit, making it an ideal place for those passionate about education and making a positive impact on young lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker - Fostering Team
✨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 Lincoln.
✨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 Lincoln!
✨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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln 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 Supervising Social Worker - Fostering Team
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 Lincoln:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lincoln! 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 Lincoln
✨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.
