Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster parents while ensuring high standards of care for children.
- Company: Orange Grove is a nurturing fostering agency focused on building strong relationships for children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £3,000 car allowance, 30-35 days annual leave, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working collaboratively in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and have experience in family placement work.
- Other info: Flexible travel required; training provided for the right candidate.
Supervising Social Worker – Orange Grove
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: Up to £37,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract term: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
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 & Free Parking
Office Location: Hybrid working with an expectation to be in the office once a month (Albourne, West Sussex or Chislehurst)
Location: London, as a standard caseload, will be no more than 1 hour\’s drive (but flexibility will be required on occasion as part of team working)
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 Southern Counties registration covers the whole of the South, London, and Essex area. We 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 Hampshire and surrounding areas, 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 Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent
- Ideally previous experience of family placement work and foster care practice including the assessment of potential foster parents however, for the right candidate training and development is provided.
- A comprehensive working knowledge of all fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation
- Excellent communication skills
- A commitment to high-quality practice
- Intermediate IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and databases
- 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 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)
For an informal discussion please contact Leisa Sheridan
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
INDCOMHPINDJULHPC
Supervising Social Worker employer: Polaris
Contact Detail:
Polaris Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific fostering regulations and child care laws relevant to the role. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former social workers in the fostering sector. They can provide valuable insights into the role and may even offer tips on how to stand out during the selection process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience working collaboratively with foster parents and other professionals. Highlighting specific examples of successful partnerships will showcase your ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to demonstrate your report writing skills during the interview. Consider bringing samples of your previous work or discussing how you ensure compliance with regulatory standards through effective documentation.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly with foster care and family placements. Emphasise your qualifications and any specific training related to fostering regulations and child care law.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for fostering and your understanding of the role of a Supervising Social Worker. Mention your collaborative approach and how you can support foster parents effectively.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on your communication skills, report writing abilities, and IT proficiency. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles to ensure high-quality practice.
Showcase Your Commitment: Demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Include any relevant experiences or initiatives that reflect your dedication to high-quality social work practice.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarise yourself with fostering regulations, child care law, and safeguarding legislation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Supervising Social Worker, excellent communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with foster parents, children, and other professionals in the past. This will highlight your ability to work collaboratively.
✨Demonstrate Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in family placement work and foster care practice. If you have specific examples of training or supervising foster parents, share those to illustrate your hands-on experience.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think about past experiences where you successfully navigated difficult circumstances and be prepared to share those stories.
