At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments for prospective foster carers and support them through training.
- Company: Join a supportive council team across multiple boroughs.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £2,000 retention bonus, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Part-time options available with a commitment to continuous professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Must have relevant social work qualification and current registration.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
This fixed-term post, running to 5 April 2027 with potential to extend, sits in the council's regional fostering recruitment and assessment team across Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The work centres on assessing prospective foster carers from allocation through to panel recommendation, and supporting them through preparation and training. Form F experience is essential, and hours are 36 a week, full-time or part-time. Current Social Work England registration and existing right to work are required, as no visa sponsorship is offered.
What the job involves:
- Complete evidence-based fostering assessments from allocation through to panel and recommendation.
- Plan and manage each assessment stage, including visits, interviews, checks, references and evidence gathering, within timescales.
- Assess applicants, household members, significant adults and support networks for suitability to foster.
- Analyse parenting capacity, safeguarding awareness, protective care, family relationships, diversity, identity, birth family contact and ability to meet children's needs.
- Use professional curiosity and judgement to test evidence, assess risk and identify safeguarding concerns.
- Evaluate references, statutory checks and agency information to form balanced recommendations.
- Guide applicants through the process, including panel preparation and understanding outcomes and next steps.
- Work with agencies, partners and stakeholders to gather information and improve outcomes for children with care experience.
- Support preparation and delivery of foster carer training, identifying development needs and contributing to materials.
Qualifications:
- Relevant professional social work qualification.
Registration & licences:
- Current Social Work England registration, maintained as a continuing professional body registration.
Experience:
- Comprehensive fostering assessment experience, including high-quality Form F assessments.
- Experience analysing complex life experiences and family dynamics and presenting balanced recommendations to Fostering Panel.
Skills & knowledge:
- Knowledge of child development, attachment, developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
- Ability to assess capacity for therapeutic, nurturing and reparative care for children with complex needs.
- Knowledge of fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards, Fostering Services Regulations and statutory guidance.
- Strengths-based, anti-discriminatory and culturally competent assessment, challenging personal bias.
- Professional curiosity and judgement to test evidence and challenge assumptions, drawing on interviews, checks, references and reports.
Checks & eligibility:
- Satisfactory DBS check.
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks.
- Satisfactory declaration of interest.
- Existing UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship.
Other:
- Commitment to continuous professional development, reflective practice and professional supervision.
- Building purposeful relationships with prospective carers while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Command of spoken English sufficient for a public-facing role.
What’s offered:
- Retention bonus of £2,000 per annum, subject to eligibility.
- Part-time arrangements available, with pay pro rata.
- Flexible working considered wherever possible.
- Good Work Standard accredited employer, covering fair pay, wellbeing, skills and progression.
Fostering Assessment Social Worker in London employer: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Little Learners Nursery Group is an exceptional employer located in Walthamstow, offering a nurturing work environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. With a strong commitment to diversity and equality, the nursery fosters a culture of respect and inclusion, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Employees enjoy flexible hours and the chance to engage with a vibrant community, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about early childhood education.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Waltham Forest Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Assessment Social Worker in London
✨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 London Borough of Waltham Forest.
✨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 London Borough of Waltham Forest!
✨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 London Borough of Waltham Forest, 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 London Borough of Waltham Forest 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 Assessment Social Worker in London
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 London Borough of Waltham Forest:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Waltham Forest! 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 London Borough of Waltham Forest
✨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.
