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- Tasks: Support and assess prospective foster carers, ensuring high-quality standards in reports.
- Company: Join the UK's largest independent children's fostering group, 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 developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience with foster carers and families required.
- Other info: Flexible travel across the North West and opportunities for personal development.
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 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
Its official, we have been rated as a Great Place to Work 2025! 83% of employees at National Fostering Group say it is a great place to work, compared to 54% of employees at a typical UK based company! 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.
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. 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 Bolton 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 in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at National Fostering Group on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the company culture, plus it shows your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to fostering assessments and child welfare. We can even role-play with a friend to boost our confidence and refine our answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for social work during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children and families in your previous roles. This will help us stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating our enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows that we’re proactive and genuinely interested in joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assessing Social Worker in Bolton
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 Thorough with Your Application: When you're filling out the online application form, don’t rush it! We want to see that you've put thought into your responses. Ensure every section is completed fully so we can get a clear picture of your qualifications and experiences.
Showcase Your Report-Writing Skills: Since this role involves a lot of report writing, make sure to demonstrate your writing abilities in your application. Use clear, concise language and structure your responses well to reflect your proficiency in this area.
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 without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at National Fostering Group!
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 well-prepared and serious 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 them to panels, as this is crucial for the Assessing Social Worker position.
✨Practice Empathy
Since you'll be dealing with sensitive situations, practice how you would handle various scenarios with empathy and understanding. This will help you demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand if the company culture aligns with your values, especially regarding safeguarding and promoting welfare.