At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise foster carers, ensuring the best outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council, dedicated to quality foster placements and community spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment, flexible work-life balance, and access to various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with 2+ years of experience in fostering.
- Other info: Guaranteed interview for applicants meeting minimum criteria; commitment to safeguarding is essential.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 Β£ per year.
Staffordshire has a strong commitment to providing quality foster placements for our children and young people in care. We are also committed to ongoing development and innovation. The Fostering North Team provides support and supervision to foster carers predominantly residing in the North of Staffordshire with some out of county commitments for approved Family & Friends carers. The team benefit from experienced staff with a wealth of social work knowledge and skills.
Main Responsibilities
- Undertake regular supervision, support, and unannounced visits to a variety of approved Foster Carers, including Mainstream Carers and Family and Friend's Foster Carers.
- Undertake fostering assessments in relation to changes of approval, Special Guardianship Orders, long-term fostering assessments, approved support carer assessments and foster carer annual reviews.
- Maintain excellent working relationships with the children's teams and other professionals to ensure good outcomes for the children and young people in our care.
We have a commitment to the stability of placements, safeguarding children and promoting capacity to provide sufficient placements to meet the needs of children and young people.
The Ideal Candidate
- You will be a qualified Social Worker with a minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience, with an understanding and/or experience of working in fostering.
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Have a current UK driving licence and vehicle.
- Above all, you will bring the desire to work with children and families to give them the right support, at the right time with the aim of keeping families together where it's safe to do so.
For further information about this role, please contact Jessica Bomparola at jessica.bomparola@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Interviews will be held on the 10th July 2025.
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values: The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy: We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits: We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire.
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you'll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that's why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
Children\'s Social Worker - Fostering employer: Staffordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Staffordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Social Worker - Fostering
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific fostering policies and practices in Staffordshire. Understanding local regulations and the unique challenges faced by foster carers in the area will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former social workers in fostering roles. They can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach and show that youβre well-informed about the position.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've successfully supported families or children in challenging situations. Highlighting your practical experience will showcase your ability to handle the complexities of fostering effectively.
β¨Tip Number 4
Research Staffordshire County Council's values and mission. Aligning your personal values with theirs during the interview will demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their community-focused goals and your fit within their organisational culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Social Worker - Fostering
Some tips for your application π«‘
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Children's Social Worker in Fostering. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as supervising foster carers and conducting assessments.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is crucial. Highlight your relevant experience, particularly in fostering or social work, and demonstrate how your skills align with the values and goals of Staffordshire County Council. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly outline your qualifications, including your Social Work registration and any relevant certifications. Mention your post-qualifying experience and how it has prepared you for this position, especially in fostering contexts.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, take the time to proofread your application. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is accurate and complete. A well-presented application reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Staffordshire County Council
β¨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a Children's Social Worker in fostering. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as conducting assessments and maintaining relationships with foster carers.
β¨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your relevant experience in social work, particularly in fostering. Highlight any specific cases or situations where you've successfully supported children and families, demonstrating your ability to handle the challenges of the role.
β¨Emphasise Teamwork
Since the role involves working closely with other professionals and children's teams, be ready to talk about your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
β¨Demonstrate Your Commitment
Express your passion for working with children and families. Discuss your commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare, and how you plan to contribute to the stability of placements and the overall mission of Staffordshire County Council.