At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster families and ensure outstanding outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Join a leading fostering agency rated OUTSTANDING by Ofsted.
- Benefits: Up to £37,131 salary, company car or allowance, 30+ days leave, and more.
- Other info: Flexible working conditions and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 37131 - 41400 £ per year.
Overview
FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES (THE FCA)
Role: Senior/Supervising Social Worker
Basic Salary: Up to £37,131.66 per annum - Dependent upon experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days\' Annual Leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Company Pension, On-site Free Parking, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Office Location: Homebased - Caseload covering Thame Valley; we are looking for a SSW in the Watford / Aylesbury / Bedfordshire areas.
About Us
In our recent inspection (November 2022), Ofsted rated FCA Thames Valley OUTSTANDING. We are a motivated, child centred fostering agency, putting our children and families at the centre of everything we do. If you want to be part of a dynamic, learning culture, with flexible working conditions get in touch with me, Kate Knight - Registered Manager on 07813 054 880.
Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK\'s largest leading communities of children\'s service providers.
Today, we\'re one of the country\'s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. But just because we\'re large doesn\'t mean we\'re impersonal. At FCA we\'re one big family, and we\'re committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.
We are looking to recruit a dynamic, therapeutically minded, full time SSW to join our fabulous, dedicated team of social workers who have all been with us for some time. You will have a caseload covering Bedfordshire, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes but this is not exhaustive as our region covers the whole of Thames Valley.
All our SSW\'s have special interests and are our leads in education, retention, therapy and EDI and you will be encouraged to share your interest that we can develop in the region too. You will also have a support group that will be yours to manage and develop.
Duties
- Support foster parents and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care.
- Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of Foster parents ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children/young people.
- Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in the FCA policies and procedures.
- Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster parents in line with FCA\'s Operational Standards.
- Work in partnership in a team parenting approach to help identify any needs within the foster family e.g. respite, activities, therapy, holidays, with all members of the child\'s network, including contributing to all relevant meetings and any other tasks defined.
- Ensure each child and foster parent are fully compliant in respect of all key documentation.
- Attend meetings and/or provide reports for Commissioning Teams to address individual packages of care.
- Promote participation of children/young people in the development of the agency and in accessing resources and opportunities in their local community.
- Participate in an \'out of hours\' support service on a rota basis
- Undertake 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 child safeguarding procedures
- The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away)
- Confidence with transporting children and young people in sometimes stressful/difficult situations
- Full driving licence
We are a family of independent fostering agencies, all with our own individual areas of expertise, but with one shared vision. We want to give children across the country who have had a difficult start in life, the support they need to build themselves a stronger and happier future. For our Foster Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.
For an informal discussion about this exciting role, please contact Kate Knight - Registered Manager on 07813 054 880
No agencies please.
Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Watford employer: Polaris
Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an outstanding employer that prioritises a supportive and nurturing work environment for its employees. With flexible working conditions, generous annual leave, and a strong emphasis on professional development, FCA fosters a culture of collaboration and growth, making it an ideal place for dedicated social workers to thrive. Located in the heart of Thames Valley, our home-based roles allow for a balanced work-life dynamic while contributing to meaningful outcomes for children and families in need.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Watford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Polaris.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Polaris!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Polaris, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Polaris or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Supervising Social Worker in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Polaris:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Polaris! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
