At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in foster care, conduct assessments, and develop care plans.
- Company: Join Randstad Care, a leader in social work staffing with a commitment to equal opportunities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working collaboratively with various professionals.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work Degree and registration with Social Work England.
- Other info: Experience in fostering or kinship care is preferred; strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join our Fostering and Kinship Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive team, making a significant and positive difference in the lives of children and families. You will play a key role in supporting children and young people in foster care and kinship placements, ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and development.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Undertake comprehensive assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of children and families, including kinship carers, to identify their needs and develop appropriate support plans.
- Develop and implement care plans: Create and implement effective care plans that are person-centred, considering the child's individual needs and developmental stage.
- Direct work with children and families: Engage directly with children, families, and kinship carers, offering support, guidance, and practical assistance.
- Placement planning and matching: Assess the suitability of various placement options, matching children with appropriate foster carers or kinship carers, ensuring safe and stable placements.
- Supervision and support of carers: Provide regular supervision, support, and training to foster carers and kinship carers, ensuring they are equipped to meet the children's needs. This includes regular visits to placements.
- Multi-agency working: Work effectively with a range of professionals (health visitors, educational psychologists, teachers, police, etc.) to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to care.
- Safeguarding: Prioritise the safeguarding and well-being of children, identifying and managing risks proactively.
- Court work: Prepare and present cases in court when required, advocating for children's best interests.
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive records of all assessments, interventions, and meetings.
- Case management: Manage a caseload of children and families, prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines effectively.
Essential Criteria:
- Qualifications: Social Work Degree (CQSW or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England.
- Experience: Post-qualifying experience in children's social work, ideally with experience in fostering or kinship care.
- DBS: On the update Service.
- Skills: Excellent assessment, planning, and intervention skills; strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively under pressure and manage a challenging caseload; strong report writing skills.
- Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures relating to children in care and fostering/kinship care.
Fostering Social Worker employer: Randstad Care
Contact Detail:
Randstad Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the social work field, especially those who have experience in fostering and kinship care. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest legislation and policies related to children in care and fostering. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential scenario-based questions during interviews by thinking through how you would handle specific situations involving children and families. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and practical experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's values and mission to align your personal experiences and motivations with what we stand for. This will help you articulate why you're a great fit for our team during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in fostering or kinship care. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in assessment, planning, and direct work with children and families.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for working with children and families. Address how your qualifications and experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as safeguarding and multi-agency working.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong communication and interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively managed a caseload and worked under pressure, as these are crucial for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail, which is essential in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad Care
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your post-qualifying experience in children's social work, particularly in fostering or kinship care. Share specific examples of how you've successfully supported children and families in similar roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Assessment Skills
Highlight your ability to conduct comprehensive assessments. Discuss your approach to identifying the needs of children and families, and how you develop tailored support plans based on those assessments.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Multi-agency Collaboration
Talk about your experience working with various professionals, such as health visitors and teachers. Illustrate how you ensure a coordinated approach to care and how you communicate effectively within a team.
✨Prepare for Safeguarding Questions
Expect questions related to safeguarding and risk management. Be ready to explain your strategies for prioritising children's safety and well-being, and provide examples of how you've handled challenging situations in the past.