R2R105082 - Supervising Social Worker - Fostering Team - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea

Your New Organisation

Children Services - OFSTED RATING 2024 – GOOD

“Many workers have chosen to both live and work in Southend. They have seen positive cultural changes in the organisation and describe Southend as not just being a good place to live but now also a good place to work.”

“Social workers speak with warmth and knowledge about the children and families they support”

CPD

The training and development offered in Southend is comprehensive and equips staff effectively to deliver their work with children and families.

LEADERS INPUT

“Leaders understand their local communities and have used this knowledge strategically and effectively to meet children’s needs”

Our vision is A Southend Where All Children Achieve Success. By joining Southend City Council as a Supervising Social Worker, you will be key in making our vision a reality for all children. You will be joining a service where we demonstrate with pride that:

• All paths lead back to the child.
• We spend time getting to know each child and their story.
• We do what we say we're going to do.
• We work with the whole family.
• No matter what, we aim to make things better.

You will provide support to work to the highest standard using our model of practice, Restorative Practice, to deliver the vision. You will access a professional social work development offer that has been designed by social workers, whatever stage you are at in your career. You will be given regular restorative supervision and separate supervision focussing on development and evidencing your SWE registration. We want everyone to take the lead in an area of interest for your team, and you will explore this with your line manager.

Your new role

Supervising Social Workers play a pivotal role in the foster care system, acting as a bridge between foster carers, children, and local authorities. Their main responsibilities include:

• Supporting Foster Carers
• Monitoring Child Welfare
• Safeguarding and Child Protection
• Training and Development
• Liaison and Communication
• Administrative duties

Southend on Sea Council's Fostering Support Team are looking to appoint a permanent, full time Supervising Social Worker to train, assess, supervise and support Foster Carers in their role of looking after children and young people. Ensuring that the highest professional standards and a good overall knowledge of relevant children’s and fostering legislation, regulations and practice methods are met.

You will provide an efficient service to children, young people, their families and fostering families, ensuring that the needs of children and their parents and carers are professionally assessed. You will be required to investigate, evaluate and analyse information on cases, demonstrating clarity of assessment, reliability of information, evidence in conclusions and realistic action plans. As well as this, you will need to develop practice which takes a holistic view of the individual, locating them in their immediate and extended social circles and having full regard to their overall development needs.

The team has an average of 15 cases per person. Duty will be undertaken in the office approx 3 days a month, with an on-site team meeting every other week. The post is hybrid, but you will be expected to be on site a minimum of 2 days a week.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in this position, you must be able to work in the UK, have a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England and have completed your ASYE. You will need to have two years' experience of working with foster carers and have working knowledge of fostering regulations and national minimum standards. You will need strong communication skills and be able to organise yourself and others. In addition, you will need to have a driving licence and have use of a car.

What you'll get in return

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.