At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents while ensuring high standards of care for children.
- Company: Orange Grove Fostercare, a leader in fostering with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Up to £39,000 salary, car allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working collaboratively with foster families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with fostering experience and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to nurturing relationships and promoting welfare.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 39000 £ per year.
Orange Grove
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: Up to £39,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract term: 12 Month Fixed Term Maternity Cover
Hours: 37 hours per week
Office Location: Northwest
Start Date: March 2026
Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days Annual Leave (rising 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 by getting to know them and providing a safe and positive family environment. We do it for our foster parents by treating them individually and tailoring our support to their needs. And we 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 ever since we were first set up over 20 years ago.
The Role
Orange Grove Fostercare Northwest are currently seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed, and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills. We ask our Social Workers to take a collaborative approach with foster parents in order to promote meaningful and relevant supervision of placements. To have experience of working with foster parents as professional colleagues and working within a multi-discipline arena is essential, as is holding a full driving licence, being a confident driver, willing and able to travel across the North West with unrestricted access to your own car. This is a demanding position that includes both a quality assurance role to maintain high standards and a training role for prospective and current foster parents. You will be an excellent report writer and able to work to strict deadlines. You will be involved in the recruitment, training, and supervision of Foster Parents and promoting the welfare of children placed with Orange Grove Fostercare.
Requirements
- Hold a Social Work England qualification in Social Work or equivalent, and be registered with Social Work England.
- Experience of working within fostering.
- A comprehensive working knowledge of all fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation.
- Excellent communication skills.
- A commitment to high-quality practice, which may include occasional working after 17.00pm and weekends.
- Being part of an Out of Hours rota for the Northwest region (phone contact / sign posting).
- Good IT skills and understanding/use of Microsoft, Outlook and databases/systems.
Responsibilities
- Direct support of foster parents with a realistic caseload which enables a high level of supervision.
- Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents, enabling and monitoring their practice and ensuring their compliance with regulatory standards.
- To work in partnership with children, young people and foster parents and other professionals, local authorities, and stakeholders, enabling full participation in meetings, decision making, to include child protection.
- Have a full driving licence and unrestricted access to your own vehicle.
- Be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check (cost will be met by Orange Grove Fostercare).
Orange Grove Fostercare is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Orange Grove Fostercare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Supervising Social Worker employer: Orange Grove Fostercare
Contact Detail:
Orange Grove Fostercare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker
✨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 Orange Grove and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of building strong relationships in fostering. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experiences with foster parents and children, and be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your skills and commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Orange Grove team and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. We want to see that you understand what we're all about and how your skills fit into our mission at Orange Grove.
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in fostering and social work. We love seeing how you've worked with foster parents and children, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate a well-structured application. Keep your writing clear and to the point, especially when discussing your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we’re looking for excellent report writers!
Apply Through Our Website: Once you’ve polished your application, head over to our website to submit it. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orange Grove Fostercare
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the responsibilities that come with it.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've collaborated with foster parents or worked in a multi-disciplinary team. This will help demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships and your commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key for this role, consider doing mock interviews with a friend or family member. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing how you would support and supervise foster parents.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations involving foster parents or children. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and prepare your responses, highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.