At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents, ensuring high standards and compliance.
- Company: Pioneering independent foster care agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Up to £39,500 salary, car allowance, 30-35 days leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through a collaborative and supportive approach.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in children and families social work.
The predicted salary is between 39500 - 39500 € per year.
Base Location: South London - Cheam
Salary: Up to £39,500 per annum
Contract: Full Time
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:
Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years of fostering experience and we're still going strong! The founder members recognised that looked after children - especially those who'd had very difficult starts in life - needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that's what ISP means: Integrated Services Programme. Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what's known as a 'therapeutic approach' to fostering and it's something that we pioneered.
Requirements:
ISP South London is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Supervising Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills. We ask our Supervising Social Workers to take a collaborative approach with foster parents in order to promote meaningful and relevant supervision of placements. 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 and having unrestricted access to your own car. This is a demanding position which includes both a quality assurance role to maintain high standards and a training role to prospective and current foster parents. You will be an excellent report writer and able to work to strict deadlines.
- Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent
- Previous experience of children and families social work
- A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to children's services as well as publications
- Full driving licence with unrestricted access to your own car
Responsibilities:
- Direct support of foster parents within 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 assessment, planning, review and decision making relating to safeguarding and child protection
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by ISP. ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. ISP 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 - Fostering in Sutton employer: Polaris Community
At ISP, we pride ourselves on being a leading independent foster care agency with over 30 years of experience, dedicated to providing exceptional support to foster parents and the children they care for. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth and development, offering generous benefits such as a £3,000 car allowance, 30 days of annual leave, and a comprehensive employee discount scheme. Located in South London, our team is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Sutton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and social work community. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching ISP's values and mission. Understand their therapeutic approach to fostering and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and not just looking for any job.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experiences with foster parents and children, and how you've handled challenging situations. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at ISP and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker - Fostering in Sutton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the role of a Supervising Social Worker. We want to see how your background aligns with our therapeutic approach and the support we provide to foster parents.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As an excellent report writer, it’s crucial to demonstrate your writing abilities in your application. Use clear, concise language and structure your application well to reflect your attention to detail and ability to meet strict deadlines.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any previous experience working with children and families, especially in fostering or social work settings. We’re looking for someone who understands the challenges and rewards of this role, so share your stories!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and publications related to children's services. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with foster parents and other professionals, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to work as part of a team and support others in their roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Report Writing Skills
As an excellent report writer, you should be ready to discuss your experience in this area. Bring along samples if possible, or be prepared to talk about how you ensure clarity and compliance in your documentation.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations you might face as a Supervising Social Worker. Think through how you would handle challenging scenarios with foster parents or children, showcasing your problem-solving skills and therapeutic approach.
