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- Tasks: Lead and support a passionate team to ensure the best outcomes for children in foster care.
- Company: Join Orange Grove, a dedicated fostering agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, car allowance, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in fostering and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a motivated team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 46000 £ per year.
Location: Warrington
Salary: £39,000 - £46,000 Per Annum, Dependent Upon Experience
Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days with length of service), Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
About Us
Orange Grove was founded in 1996 by two social workers who understood that strong relationships held the key to successful fostering. As with all families, relationships matter; they provide a stable platform for growth, which is why we commit time, effort and resources into nurturing them constantly. We do this for the children in our care and foster families, by getting to know them, treating them individually and tailoring support to their needs. We value our staff and take care to build strong and positive relationships with local authorities and our other partners, so we can all work effectively together. This has been at the heart of our philosophy since we were established some 30 years ago.
Requirements
- Qualified and experienced social worker with considerable experience of working with Children Looked After and foster parents.
- Good understanding of the relevant Legislation, Regulations and Fostering Standards.
- Supervisory or management experience within a social work setting is desirable.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to work autonomously, whilst working effectively as part of a team.
- Safeguarding knowledge is paramount.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build, maintain and develop positive working relationships with children/young people, foster parents and differing professionals.
- Able to work occasional evenings and weekends, where required.
- Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent.
- Experience of working with children and young people, including Children Looked After.
- A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation that supports Fostering and Children Looked After.
- A full driving licence with unrestricted access to your own car.
Responsibilities
- Support and deputise for the Registered Manager, as needed.
- Supervise team members, as determined by the Registered Manager.
- Support, supervise and promote foster parents to reach their full potential.
- Monitor, promote and ensure compliance with foster parents and staff.
- Work in partnership with children, young people, foster parents, applicants and other professionals, internal and external to the Agency, to ensure safeguarding and positive outcomes for children are paramount.
If you are looking for an opportunity to be part of a highly motivated and experienced Team, who are passionate about the best outcomes for children and young people, please get in touch. For an informal discussion please contact Heather Sheridan - Registered Manager on 07900 680494. No Agency applications please as this is a permanent post. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by Orange Grove. Orange Grove is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Orange Grove is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Principal Social Worker - Fostering employer: Orange Grove Fostercare
Contact Detail:
Orange Grove Fostercare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Social Worker - Fostering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities at Orange Grove. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Brush up on your knowledge of fostering legislation and be ready to discuss how you can support foster parents and children. Show us your passion for making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! Whether it’s through examples from past roles or how you’ve supported teams, let us see how you can step up and make an impact at Orange Grove.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Social Worker - Fostering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with Children Looked After and fostering. We want to see how your skills align with our values and the specific requirements of the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a Principal Social Worker position, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've supported and supervised team members in the past, as this will show us you're ready for the challenge.
Communicate Clearly: Excellent communication skills are key in this role. When writing your application, be clear and concise, and make sure to convey your passion for building positive relationships with children, foster parents, and professionals.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets to the right people quickly, and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orange Grove Fostercare
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation, regulations, and fostering standards before your interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just qualified but also genuinely knowledgeable about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since the role requires strong leadership, prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or supported colleagues in previous roles. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference, especially in fostering or social work settings.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, relationships are key! Approach the interview as a conversation rather than an interrogation. Be personable, engage with your interviewers, and demonstrate your ability to build positive working relationships, just like you would with foster families and children.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your safeguarding knowledge and decision-making skills. Practice articulating your thought process in handling challenging situations, as this will highlight your experience and suitability for the role.
