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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carers and ensure children receive safe, nurturing care across South London.
- Company: Independent fostering agency dedicated to therapeutic, child-centred services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing professional development, and supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: BA (Hons) Social Work or equivalent, with experience in fostering and safeguarding.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Wallington, London
Caseload Area: South London, South-East & South-West London
Salary: £42,000 - £50,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent | Full-time
Our client, an independent fostering agency, is seeking an experienced and committed Supervising Social Worker to join their growing team. The agency is dedicated to providing therapeutic, child-centred fostering services that help young people process trauma, develop resilience, and build trusting relationships. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate social worker who wants to make a genuine difference by supporting foster carers and improving outcomes for children and young people.
The Role
As a Supervising Social Worker, you will act as a positive agent of change, proactively supporting foster carers and ensuring children receive safe, stable, and nurturing care. You will manage a caseload of foster carers across South London, South-East, and South-West London, working closely with local authorities and partner agencies.
Key Responsibilities
- Recruit, assess, supervise, train, and support foster carers
- Manage a caseload of foster carers to promote placement stability and positive outcomes for children
- Undertake assessments of prospective and existing foster carers (initial and review assessments)
- Provide regular supervision and guidance to foster carers, mentors, and social work assistants
- Work in partnership with local authority professionals to deliver and review care plans
- Maintain accurate, high-quality case records in line with fostering regulations and National Minimum Standards
- Deliver training, workshops, and support groups for foster carers
- Participate in recruitment activities, information events, and preparation training
- Contribute to duty systems and out-of-hours rotas when required
- Identify, assess, and manage safeguarding concerns and placement risks
- Support service development, audits, inspections, and quality improvement initiatives
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Qualifications & Registration
- BA (Hons) Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent
- Registration with the relevant professional social work regulatory body
- Knowledge & Experience
- Sound knowledge of fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards, and safeguarding procedures
- Experience working with children and young people in statutory or voluntary settings
- Experience of assessing, planning, and reviewing work with children and families
- Experience working within multi-agency professional networks
- Competence using electronic recording and reporting systems
- Skills & Attributes
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong assessment and analytical report-writing ability
- Ability to build effective, supportive relationships with foster carers
- Confident decision-maker with strong organisational and time-management skills
- Group facilitation skills and confidence delivering training
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice
- Empathy, integrity, professionalism, and a therapeutic, child-focused approach
Additional Requirements
- Full UK driving licence and access to a car
- Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
- Ability to travel across South London, South-East, and South-West London
What Our Client Offers
- Competitive salary of £42,000 - £50,000 per annum
- Permanent, stable role within a supportive independent fostering agency
- Regular supervision and annual appraisal
- Ongoing professional development and therapeutic training
- Opportunity to make a meaningful, long-term difference to children's lives
Locations
Supervising Social Worker in Croydon, Surrey employer: Portman Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Portman Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker in Croydon, Surrey
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the social work field! Attend local events, workshops, or even online webinars. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Showcase Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your passion for fostering shine through! Share your experiences and how you’ve made a difference in the lives of children and families. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Research the agency’s values and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission of providing therapeutic, child-centred fostering services. Confidence and knowledge can really set you apart!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly 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 with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Social Worker in Croydon, Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Supervising Social Worker role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your knowledge of fostering legislation and your ability to support foster carers.
Showcase Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in children's lives. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted young people or foster carers in your previous roles. This will help us understand your commitment to the cause.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and highlight your key achievements.
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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portman Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards, and safeguarding procedures. Being well-versed in these areas will show that you're serious about the role and understand the responsibilities that come with it.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully supported foster carers or worked with children and families. Highlighting your experience in multi-agency settings can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Supervising Social Worker, you'll need to build strong relationships. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing. You might even want to prepare a short presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your group facilitation skills.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Think of scenarios you might face in the role and how you would handle them. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your commitment to child-centred practice.
