At a Glance
- 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 27 days holiday, flexible benefits, and a 4-day working week after probation.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience with foster carers and families required.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 45000 £ per year.
When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.
Location: Regionally based across Wales and Bristol
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: £43,000 - £45,000 per annum (+ £3,000 car allowance)
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’ which we are extremely proud of.
We also offer a 4 day working week - this means 80% of the hours for 100% pay! This will be given following a successful 6 month probationary period and is a performance based benefit.
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.
A full list of responsibilities can be found in the Job Description attached.
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.
But what else is in it for you? Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
- 27 days holiday, increasing with service up to 32 days + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
- Bonus schemes
- Generous salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life Assurance
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you. Just some of the things on offer:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100’s of discount options
- Salary sacrifice Eco Car Scheme and Cycle Scheme
- Tech benefit
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 in Bath employer: National Fostering Group
National Fostering Group is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Great Place to Work 2025, where 83% of employees feel valued and supported. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer a unique 4-day working week after a successful probation period, alongside generous holiday allowances, flexible benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative and caring environment across Wales and Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assessing Social Worker in Bath
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on National Fostering Group. Understand their values, mission, and what makes them a great place to work. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to social work and fostering. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of an Assessing Social Worker. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! During the interview, highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Share specific examples of how you've successfully supported foster carers or families in the past. This will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Assessing Social Worker in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start filling out the application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in an Assessing Social Worker and tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills.
Be Specific in Your Responses:When answering questions on the application form, be as specific as possible. Use examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your abilities in fostering assessments and working with families. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills!
Show Your Passion for Fostering:Let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through in your application. Share why you're passionate about working with children and families, and how you can contribute to our mission at National Fostering Group. We want to see your commitment to making a difference!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. This ensures that it gets to the right people quickly and efficiently. Plus, you'll find all the information you need about the role and our company there!
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 well-versed in these areas will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work with foster carers, children, and families. Highlight your experience in conducting assessments and presenting to panels. This will demonstrate your capability and give the interviewers a clear picture of what you bring to the table.
✨Practice Empathy
As an Assessing Social Worker, you'll need to handle sensitive situations with care. During the interview, practice showing empathy in your responses. This will reflect your interpersonal skills and reassure the interviewers that you can manage the emotional aspects of the job.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the organisation. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.
