At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and supervise foster carers to create nurturing environments.
- Company: Join the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK, rated a Great Place to Work!
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 40 days annual leave, life assurance, and a flexible benefits platform.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: BA or MA in social work, with experience in supporting young people with trauma.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with lower caseloads for personalised support.
Is this the role you are looking for? If so, read on for more details, and make sure to apply today.
Location: Regionally based across Oxford and surrounding area including Bucks
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: ÂŁ36,000 - ÂŁ46,000 dependent on experience
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 âOutstandingâ or âGoodâ 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.
The role
As a member of our brilliant 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 also supervise and advise foster carers, and make sure 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 â a safeguarding champion with everyoneâs best interests at heart. We keep caseloads lower to decrease risk and to offer more bespoke, person-centric focus. This means more time to work closely with both the young people and their carers to deliver the best possible outcomes. 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 make sure that our children and young people are safe and secure, that they are 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. Carers and children will be relying on you to create supportive, nurturing relationships, so you will need to show that youâve had previous social work experience, with a record of working with young people who have a history of trauma and enhanced needs. You will be excited by taking on real responsibility, and you will be ready and willing to benefit from all the support we offer to help you do your job. You will also be generous with your own skills and experience, helping our whole team to excel.
But what else is in it for you? Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so youâll 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
- âYour Wellbeing Mattersâ â access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package thatâs right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100âs of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
And thatâs not all, we place the outcomes of the children and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so youâll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. 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 Wantage employer: National Fostering Group
Contact Detail:
National Fostering Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Wantage
â¨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.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to fostering and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. This shows you're genuinely interested and committed!
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Supervising Social Worker. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel!
â¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining our fantastic team at National Fostering Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker in Wantage
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you and how your passion for social work can make a difference in the lives of children and foster carers.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Show us how your background aligns with the role of Supervising Social Worker and why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Experience: Donât hold back on sharing your previous social work experiences, especially those involving young people with trauma. Weâre looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to create supportive relationships and make a real impact.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website for a smooth application process. Itâs the best way for us to receive your details and get you one step closer to joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Fostering Group
â¨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of social work principles, especially those related to fostering and safeguarding. Familiarise yourself with the National Fostering Group's values and recent achievements, as this will show your genuine interest in the role.
â¨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous social work experience, particularly with young people who have faced trauma. Prepare specific examples that highlight your skills in building supportive relationships and how you've positively impacted the lives of children and foster carers.
â¨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, support systems for foster carers, and how the organisation measures success in their fostering programmes. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to their mission.
â¨Demonstrate Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for helping vulnerable children shine through. Share stories or experiences that illustrate your commitment to making a difference in their lives. This will resonate well with the interviewers and align with the values of the National Fostering Group.