At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the recruitment of foster carers and build relationships with potential applicants.
- Company: Join St Christopher's, a leading charity dedicated to supporting children and young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and offers excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: BA or Master’s in social work and relevant experience in family placement work.
The predicted salary is between 40188 - 48620 £ per year.
Salary up to £44,654 depending on experience
37.5 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term 2 Years
Location: West Bromwich
About Us
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future. St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home. We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong. We hope to attract applications from under-represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.
About the Role
The role is responsible for the successful recruitment of new St. Christopher’s foster carers, proactively building excellent relationships with potential fostering applicants & guiding them through the assessment & approval process. The role will proactively lead on the recruitment strategy for a given region but the postholder may have to work across other regions as required by workflows. The postholder will deliver an increased number of fostering households through a targeted approach, enabling the recruitment and assessment of foster carers who can meet the needs of St. Christopher’s looked after children.
Applicants should have:
- BA or Master’s in social work or Dip SW, CSS, CQSW.
- Social Work England/Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales Registration.
- Post qualifying experience which should include at least 2 years in relevant family placement work or post qualifying experience in other childcare settings.
- A proven track record in working with and on behalf of children and foster families, using a trauma-informed therapeutic approach.
- Experience of group work and/or delivery of training.
- Assessment of Foster Carers, using BAAF Competency Based Form F.
- Knowledge or relevant experience of recruitment and campaign/project delivery for foster carers.
- Knowledge of prospective carer assessment and the journey of a prospective foster carer.
- A good working knowledge of relevant legislation including Children’s Act 1989 and related regulations and guidance such as Every Child Matters, Working Together; Assessment Framework For Children In Need; Care Standards Act 2000;
- Understanding of the role of children’s social workers; knowledge of the role of other agencies in particular, health and education; knowledge of the growth and development of children.
- Experience of working with the public and engaging a wide range of community group and organisations.
In return we offer:
- Salary up to £44,654 depending on experience.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
- Industry Leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and Social Pedagogy.
- Contributory pension scheme, Enhanced Maternity and Company Sick Scheme.
- BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
- Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.
- Discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
- Discretionary Funded Training Programs.
- Employee Awards based on performance and length of service.
- Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.
Recruitment Process
At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting. Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification.
For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact recruitment@stchris.org.uk
Closing date: 16th October 2026
We advise to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and this opportunity might be filled before the closing date. It is against the law to apply for work with Children/Young People if you are barred from working in Regulated Activity and if your name is added to a Children Barred List. All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked. Please note this post has a minimum age restriction of 21 for roles working directly with children and young people in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.
Supervising Social Worker Recruitment Lead - West Midlands in West Bromwich employer: St. Christopher's Fellowship
St Christopher’s Fellowship is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture where every team member can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide industry-leading training and clear career progression opportunities, ensuring that you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in Croydon. Our competitive salary, generous benefits, and focus on well-being make us a rewarding place to work for those passionate about supporting children and young people.
Contact Details:
St. Christopher's Fellowship Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Social Worker Recruitment Lead - West Midlands in West Bromwich
✨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 St. Christopher's Fellowship.
✨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 St. Christopher's Fellowship!
✨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 St. Christopher's Fellowship, 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 St. Christopher's Fellowship 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 Supervising Social Worker Recruitment Lead - West Midlands in West Bromwich
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 St. Christopher's Fellowship:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St. Christopher's Fellowship! 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 St. Christopher's Fellowship
✨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.
