At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and children, ensuring high-quality care and positive outcomes.
- Company: Join Orchard Care, a passionate non-profit fostering agency dedicated to child-centred practice.
- Benefits: Negotiable salary, 30 days leave, flexible working, and supportive management.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a caring, collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with at least 2 years of experience and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Join a passionate, child-centred Fostering Team!
At Orchard Care, we believe that outstanding outcomes for children come from supporting and valuing the people who care for them.
Our service is built on strong relationships, small caseloads, and a genuinely supportive culture.
We are looking for a dedicated, compassionate and experienced Supervising Social Worker on a full or part time basis who shares our commitment to improving the lives of children and young people in foster care.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a not-for-profit fostering agency with a warm, highly supportive team of social workers, support workers and managers who are deeply committed to child-centred practice, high quality support for carers and strong systemic partnership working.
Why work with us?
- Small caseloads to ensure meaningful support for carers and children
- Visible and supportive leadership from experienced managers
- A collaborative, values-driven team culture
- Commitment to on-going training, professional development and reflective supervision
- Flexible working to support work–life balance
- Quiet office environment
- No Hot Desking
- Robust Admin support
The Role
As a Supervising Social Worker, you will play a key role in supporting foster carers and ensuring children receive the highest quality care.
You will work closely and systemically with carers, children, local authorities and colleagues to provide high-quality supervision, guidance and support, ensuring that the needs and outcomes of children remain central to all practice.
You will also contribute to the development of carers, recruitment processes and service improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting Foster Carers and Young People
- Provide structured supervision and ongoing support to foster carers
- Help develop individualised support packages for carers and young people
- Ensure children’s needs, safety and outcomes remain central to all decision making.
- Complete unannounced visits in line with regulatory requirements
- Prepare reports and attend childrens reviews and other professional meetings.
- Assessments and Reviews
- Complete Form F assessments and present to the fostering panel.
- Contribute to carer reviews and on-going assessments.
- Participate in matching processes and write matching reports.
- Support monitoring of placement plans, care plans, health and education outcomes.
- Recruitment and Training
- Contribute to the recruitment of high-quality foster carers.
- Support the training and development of carers and their families and support networks.
- Team Working
- Actively participate in team meetings and service development.
- Promote a culture of systemic communication, collaboration and mutual support.
- On-Call
- Participate in the 24-hour on-call rota to support foster carers.
- Recording and Compliance
- Maintain accurate, timely case records and reports.
- Ensure compliance with Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards.
About You
We are looking for someone who is
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children in care
- Caring, committed and child-centred
- Able to build strong relationships with carers, children and professionals
- A supportive and encouraging supervisor
- Organised, reflective and able to manage competing priorities
- A positive team player with integrity, humour and dedication
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker (CQSW, CSS, Dip SW or equivalent)
- Registered with Social Work England
- At least 2 years post-qualifying experience
- Experience in assessment, report writing and supporting carers or families
- Knowledge of Children Act 1989, Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with business insurance
Desirable
- Experience in fostering or family placement work
- Practice educator
- Experience delivering training or group work
- Experience contributing to placement matching and support planning
What We Offer
- Negotiable salary depending on experience
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Mileage allowance
- Regular supervision and professional development
- Supportive management and a positive team culture
- Additional Information
The role requires participation in evening, weekend and on-call duties, with flexible working arrangements available.
If you are a compassionate and motivated social worker who wants to be part of a small, supportive and passionate fostering team, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time or Part-time, Permanent
Benefits
- Company pension
- Flexible benefits package
- On-site free parking
- Sick pay
Education: Bachelor's (required)
- Work Location: Hybrid remote in Durham DH7 8XL
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Supervising Social Worker - Non-Profit Fostering in North East employer: North East Combined Authority
Northern Education Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the life chances of children and young people. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career progression across our family of schools. Our supportive work culture, combined with benefits like free flu vaccinations and onsite parking, makes Hetton Academy a rewarding place to work for those passionate about student wellbeing.
Contact Details:
North East Combined Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker - Non-Profit Fostering in North East
✨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 North East Combined Authority.
✨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 North East Combined Authority!
✨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 North East Combined Authority, 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 North East Combined Authority 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 - Non-Profit Fostering in North East
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 North East Combined Authority:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Combined Authority! 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 North East Combined Authority
✨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.
