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- Tasks: Support and assess prospective foster carers, ensuring high-quality standards in reports.
- Company: Join the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK, rated a Great Place to Work!
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 40 days annual leave, a competitive salary, and a 4-day working week after probation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive and flexible work environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience with foster carers and families required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal development and travel across the region.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Regionally based across the North West
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: £43,000 - £45,000 dependent on experience (+ £3,000 car allowance)
Our Core Benefits include:
- Up to 40 days annual leave (including 26 days holiday, Bank Holidays, One Moment in Time day and opportunity to buy 5 extra days)
- Minimum 9% Contributory Pension
- Life Assurance
- ‘The Hub’ discount marketplace
- EAP
- Occupational Health
- Enhanced Sick pay
- Enhanced Family Friendly leave
- Expenses and Mileage
- Tech Scheme
About National Fostering Group
With over 20 years experience, National Fostering Group is the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK with a community of over 2,500 foster carers. As a Group, we work with Local Authorities to provide the highest quality of care for children and young people. All of our fostering agencies are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’.
About the Role
We are looking for Assessing Social Workers to join our team. In this role you will be the first point of contact for prospective foster carers, guiding and supporting them through the whole assessment process with the highest level of customer service. You will be responsible for conducting well evidenced assessments which elicit comprehensive reports within established timelines, ensuring accuracy and high-quality standards. Effective communication with colleagues and building relationships with the fostering agencies in your region will be crucial to this role. You will participate in recruitment and retention meetings, contribute to best practice development and help facilitate workshops to share knowledge and enhance practice standards. This role will involve a lot of travel to applicants’ homes and fostering agencies to gather information, facts and evidence to prepare comprehensive assessment reports. You will also prepare prospective foster carers for panel presentations, reassuring them and managing their concerns throughout the process.
About You
The Assessing Social Worker will be a dedicated and experienced Social Worker with a degree in Social Work and relevant registration. The ideal candidate will have proven experience working with foster carers, children and families, and expertise in family placement, child care and permanency. You will be experienced and proficient in completing fostering assessments, informed risk evaluations and presenting fostering assessments to panels. You will need strong interpersonal skills, the ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy and excellent report-writing capabilities. The candidate must be knowledgeable about child development, attachment theory and fostering regulations. A commitment to equal opportunities, personal learning and development, along with the ability to travel flexibly across the region is required. A full list of criteria can be found in the Person Specification attached.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. We are an Equal Opportunities employer.
Assessing Social Worker (London Area) employer: National Fostering Group
Contact Detail:
National Fostering Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assessing Social Worker (London Area)
✨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 practising common questions and scenarios specific to assessing social work. Think about your experiences with foster carers and how you can showcase your skills in empathy and communication during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Assessing Social Worker position. We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team!
We think you need these skills to ace Assessing Social Worker (London Area)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assessing Social Worker role. Highlight your relevant experience with foster carers and your expertise in family placement, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your report-writing capabilities and interpersonal skills. We want to see how you handle sensitive situations and communicate effectively, so share specific examples that demonstrate these abilities.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application! We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for fostering and child welfare, and why you want to join our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our amazing benefits!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Fostering Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child development, attachment theory, and fostering regulations. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just qualified but genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work with foster carers, children, and families. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, highlighting your expertise in conducting assessments and managing sensitive situations.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves a lot of communication, practice building rapport during the interview. Be friendly, approachable, and empathetic. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with prospective foster carers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the organisation and the role. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. Ask about their approach to best practice development or how they support social workers in their roles.