At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents while promoting children's welfare.
- Company: Orange Grove, a nurturing fostering agency with over 20 years of experience.
- Benefits: Up to £39,000 salary, car allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and more.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support foster families.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with fostering experience and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to high-quality practice and child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 39000 £ per year.
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 in Chester employer: Orange Grove
Contact Detail:
Orange Grove Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with fostering. They might know about opportunities at Orange Grove or can give you insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of fostering regulations and child care law. We want to see that you're not just passionate but also well-informed about the role and its responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with foster parents and other professionals in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to build strong relationships!
✨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 us that you're genuinely interested in joining the Orange Grove family.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in fostering and social work. We want to see how your skills align with our values at Orange Grove, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experiences!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Supervising Social Worker, excellent communication is key. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, whether it’s through clear writing or sharing examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively with foster parents and other professionals.
Highlight Your Commitment: We’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic and committed to high-quality practice. In your application, share specific instances where you’ve gone above and beyond in your role, especially in supporting foster parents and children.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Orange Grove. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orange Grove
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation. Being well-versed in these areas will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience with foster parents and multi-disciplinary teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since excellent communication skills are a must for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend or using video calls to refine your delivery and body language.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their approach to supporting foster parents or how they measure success in placements. This shows you’re genuinely invested in the position.