At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise a team of social workers and support foster families in Birmingham.
- Company: Join a leading Independent Fostering Agency with a focus on quality care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to drive quality improvements in fostering services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England and have relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 44000 £ per year.
Liquid Personnel is seeking a Senior Practitioner to join the Fostering Service team of an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) based in Birmingham. The role entails supervising a small team of Supervising Social Workers who support foster carers by addressing safeguarding concerns raised by children’s social workers and offering both emotional and practical assistance to foster families. The successful candidate will be instrumental in recruiting foster carers by guiding the supervising social workers, conducting assessments, and delivering training prior to child placements. If this opportunity resonates with you, a career as a Supervising Social Worker could be a rewarding path to explore.
What will your responsibilities be?
In this role, you will,
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of placements, including case recordings, placement agreements, assessment reports, carer reviews, supervision notes, and child progress reports.
- Supervise a small team of Social Workers (maximum caseload of 5), ensuring effective support and oversight. Currently, there are only two social workers to supervise.
- Attend and actively participate in childcare reviews, case conferences, and other relevant meetings.
- Liaise with managers regarding referrals, matching considerations, and meetings. Lead placement negotiations between HHFC and placing authorities, particularly for children placed with foster carers under your supervision.
- Participate in the emergency out-of-hours service as required.
- Chair social work meetings in the absence of the Registered Manager.
- Attend regular social work meetings to share updates and information regarding children in placement.
- Support the Registered Manager and Directors in leading best practices, driving quality improvements, and contributing to specific projects.
- Ensure that each child’s care plan is implemented in accordance with the placing authority’s requirements and in consultation with the child’s social worker, foster carers, parents, and other relevant parties.
- Undertake training and continuous professional development as required.
- Maintain a professional image and high standard of personal and corporate presentation.
- Adhere to HHFC’s policies, procedures, and ethos, and operate within the regulatory framework, including the National Minimum Standards.
- Perform any other duties as requested by your line manager or Directors, aligned with your expertise, knowledge, and level of responsibility.
Qualifications & Experience:
To be considered for this role, you must be registered with Social Work England, eligible to work in the UK, hold a degree-level qualification in Social Work, and possess post-qualification experience.
Reasonable Adjustments:
If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.
We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.
BH - 191104
GH - 32351
Senior Practitioner in Birmingham employer: Liquid Personnel
Liquid Personnel is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture in Birmingham that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. With a focus on professional development, employees have access to continuous training opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and foster carers. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values quality practice and innovation in fostering services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the agency and its values. Familiarise yourself with their fostering practices and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experiences and how they relate to the Senior Practitioner role. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience in supervising social workers and working with foster families. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about fostering and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your Social Work England registration and any relevant qualifications. We need to know you’ve got the right credentials to lead our team effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liquid Personnel
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the responsibilities of a Senior Practitioner. Brush up on your knowledge about fostering services, safeguarding concerns, and the role of supervising social workers. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be supervising a small team, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and experiences. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or managed challenging situations. This will demonstrate your capability to support and guide others effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Practice how you would handle various situations related to child placements, foster carer recruitment, and team dynamics. This will help you articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the agency's approach to training and development, or how they measure success within the fostering service. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the agency aligns with your values.