At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and assess prospective foster carers, ensuring high-quality care for children.
- Company: Join the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and health benefits.
- 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: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: £43,000 - £45,000 dependent on experience (+ £3,000 car allowance)
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
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.
This will be given following a successful 6 month probationary period and is a performance based benefit.
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.
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.
Qualified social worker | cared for children (Contract) in London employer: National Fostering Group
Contact Detail:
National Fostering Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified social worker | cared for children (Contract) in London
✨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 researching the National Fostering Group and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their outstanding reputation in fostering.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As an Assessing Social Worker, you'll need to build relationships and reassure prospective foster carers. Role-play common interview scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified social worker | cared for children (Contract) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Assessing Social Worker. Highlight your experience with foster carers and children, and don’t forget to showcase your report-writing skills. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about fostering and how your skills can contribute to our mission. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Effective communication is key in this role. In your application, give examples of how you've built relationships and communicated effectively in previous roles. We want to know how you handle sensitive situations with empathy!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right 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 able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just qualified but also 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 them to panels. This will help demonstrate your expertise and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Practice Empathy
Since this role involves handling sensitive situations, practice how you would reassure prospective foster carers during the assessment process. Think about how you can communicate effectively and empathetically, as this is crucial for building trust.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation and its approach to fostering. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level.