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 travel opportunities and excellent career growth potential.
- 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.
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’.
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.
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.
Locations
Assessing Social Worker in Newport, Wales employer: National Fostering Group
National Fostering Group is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Great Place to Work 2025, with 83% of employees affirming its positive work environment. Offering a unique 4-day working week after a successful probation period, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous holiday allowances, bonus schemes, and a focus on employee wellbeing, this role provides meaningful opportunities for professional growth while making a significant impact in the lives of children and families across Wales and Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assessing Social Worker in Newport, Wales
✨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 you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to fostering assessments and child welfare. We recommend role-playing with a friend to get comfortable discussing your experiences and how they relate to the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for social work! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children and families. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fantastic team at National Fostering Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Assessing Social Worker in Newport, Wales
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 Examples:When you're writing about your experience, be specific! Use examples that showcase your skills in fostering assessments and working with families. This helps us see how you can fit into our team and contribute to our mission.
Show Your Passion for Fostering:Let your passion for fostering shine through in your application. We want to know why you're interested in this role and how you can make a difference in the lives of children and families. A personal touch can really make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we’ll have all your details in one place. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our fantastic team!
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 interested in 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 reports. 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 ability to connect with prospective foster carers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the organisation. This shows your enthusiasm 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.
