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- Tasks: Support foster parents and ensure outstanding outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Join a leading fostering agency with a family-like culture.
- Benefits: Up to £36,131.66 salary, 30-35 days leave, company car or allowance, and more.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working remotely.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and professional registration required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36131 - 36131 £ per year.
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK's largest communities of children's service providers. The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services that make a positive difference to the lives of looked-after children. Our purpose remains the same: to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities.
Salary: Up to £36,131.66 per annum (dependent on experience)
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' annual leave (rising to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays (pro rata), Life Assurance, Company Pension, On-site Free Parking, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Location: Home-based, supporting foster parents across the Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth
Duties Will Include:
- Supporting foster parents and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care
- Supporting and monitoring the continued suitability and competence of foster parents, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment
- Ensuring carers fully understand the fostering task, required competencies and expected standards, including complaints and representation procedures in line with FCA policies
- Providing and recording regular supervision to allocated foster parents in line with FCA's Operational Standards
- Working in partnership using a team parenting approach to identify needs within the foster family (e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays), contributing to meetings and relevant actions
- Ensuring each child and foster parent is fully compliant with all key documentation
- Attending meetings and/or providing reports for commissioning teams regarding individual care packages
- Promoting participation of children and young people in agency development and access to local resources and opportunities
- Participating in an out-of-hours support service on a rota basis
- Participating in the day duty system on a rota basis, supporting the referrals team
- Undertaking occasional initial home visits and Form F assessments
You Must Have:
- A Social Work qualification
- Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent
- Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing
- A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and safeguarding procedures
- The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional overnight stays)
- Confidence transporting children and young people in potentially challenging situations
- A full UK driving licence
For more information about this post, please contact Caroline Ellis, Registered Manager, on 07967 381058 or Ray Kalaker, Fostering Service Manager, on 07813 054594. To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch. No agencies please.
Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Senior Social Worker – Remote Foster Care Leader in Southampton employer: Polaris Community
Contact Detail:
Polaris Community Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker – Remote Foster Care Leader in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know someone at FCA. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching FCA's values and mission. Show us how your passion for fostering aligns with our commitment to making a positive difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. We want to hear about your experiences and how you’ve supported foster families. Be ready to share specific examples!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker – Remote Foster Care Leader in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a positive difference in the lives of children and families.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in social work and fostering. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission, so don’t hold back on those key achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and gets straight to the heart of what makes you a great fit for the role.
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 get the ball rolling on your journey with FCA.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and safeguarding procedures before your interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just qualified, but also genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to support foster parents and children effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in FCA’s values and mission. Ask about their approach to team parenting or how they support foster families, which will highlight your commitment to making a positive difference.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle challenging situations involving children or foster parents. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and be ready to discuss your thought process and decision-making skills.