At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children by finding them loving foster homes and guiding foster carers.
- Company: Join the largest independent fostering group in the UK, rated a Great Place to Work 2025!
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 40 days annual leave, life assurance, and a flexible benefits platform.
- Other info: Experience a 4-day working week after probation, with lower caseloads for better focus.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: BA or MA in social work, registered with the appropriate body, and previous social work experience.
Location: Regionally based across Cambridge, Peterborough and north Norfolk
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £36,000 - £46,000 dependent on experience + £3,000 car allowance
This is an amazing opportunity to join National Fostering Group as a Supervising Social Worker with NFA East. We are an independent fostering agency part of National Fostering Group, focusing on creating high quality foster homes for children and young people. NFA East empowers foster carers to meet the specific needs of those in their care.
About the 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. All of our fostering agencies are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’. We also offer a 4 day working week - this means 80% of the hours for 100% pay, following a successful 6 month probationary period.
The role: As a member of our team of social workers, you will understand the life-changing potential of a safe and supportive home life. You will play a key role in helping vulnerable children and young people find a foster home that can transform their future. You will supervise and advise foster carers, ensuring that both carers and children have the support they need to thrive. You will visit homes and keep in touch with both carers and young people, becoming an essential point of contact for all – a safeguarding champion with everyone’s best interests at heart. We keep caseloads lower to decrease risk and to offer more bespoke, person-centric focus.
You will collaborate with our specialist clinical teams to identify and make available the right kinds of support, from occupational therapy to art therapy, and clinicians with specialism in trauma and attachment theory. As a key team member in one of our local fostering agencies, you will ensure that our children and young people are safe and secure, well looked after, and that our high standards are consistently maintained. Through your passion and commitment, you will inspire carers to grow in confidence and achieve their potential, with a real impact on the children they care for.
Who we are looking for: You will be passionate about building incredible lives for children and helping foster carers be the best they can be. You will be confident and imaginative, with either a BA or MA degree in social work and an energetic and open-minded approach. You will also need to be registered with the appropriate body and hold a full driving licence. Previous social work experience, with a record of working with young people who have a history of trauma and enhanced needs, is essential.
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
- Up to 40 days annual leave each year (26 base entitlement + 1 One moment in time + 8 bank holidays + ability to buy up to 5 extra days)
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
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.
Supervising Social Worker in Cambridge employer: National Fostering Group
At National Fostering Group, we pride ourselves on being a Great Place to Work, with 88% of our employees affirming this sentiment. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our exceptional reward package, which includes generous holiday allowances, enhanced family leave, and a flexible benefits platform tailored to individual needs. As a leader in children's fostering services, we offer a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the Midlands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Cambridge
✨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 National Fostering Group.
✨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 National Fostering Group!
✨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 National Fostering Group, 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 National Fostering Group 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 Supervising Social Worker in Cambridge
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 National Fostering Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to National Fostering Group! 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 National Fostering Group
✨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.
