At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Fostering Team to support children and families through assessments and mentoring.
- Company: Swindon local authority committed to improving children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and innovation in social work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Minimum 5 years post-qualifying experience in fostering and assessment.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 51356 £ per year.
Salary: £51,356 p.a. pro rata plus benefits
37 hours per week
Fixed Term Contract - 6 months
Here in Swindon we have a clear vision and plans to reduce the need for children to come into our care with our new adolescent offer and edge of care work. We are continually working as a partnership to ensure our children are safe. We’re making a real difference to the lives of the children and families we work with in Swindon.
About Us
We have now implemented the Family Safeguarding Model, a new multi-disciplinary approach that supports a whole-system change to child protection for children up to adolescence, focusing on supporting the needs of children and adults so that children can safely remain within their families. This is a great opportunity to join us now and be part of this pioneering work as we continue to learn from multi-agency family work and support more families to look after their children in their families and wider communities.
About the role
This role is within our Fostering Team in the Recruitment and Assessment Pod who undertake fostering assessments of mainstream foster carers alongside kinship assessments both Connected Carers and Special Guardianship Assessments. The pod also undertakes assessments and support of Private Foster Carers. Viability Assessments are also undertaken within the pod.
We are looking for an Advanced Social Worker Practitioner with a minimum of 5 years post-qualifying experience who has worked within fostering previously and will have experience of undertaking a range of assessments. You will also be expected to take on social work students, provide mentoring and support the Management Team.
Advanced Social Workers are highly skilled in their field of social work, are routinely involved in supervision or oversight of others and/or highly specialised practice and/or learning and development. They ensure the integration of professional knowledge, the perspectives of people using services and research/evaluation evidence routinely in their practice and promote this with others.
This is a dynamic role and we are looking for a charismatic social worker with advanced experience to work alongside our social workers and managers. There are lots of opportunities to build meaningful relationships with carers, children and young people alongside other professionals who will share your passion for doing all you can to ensure our children and young people. We are working hard to keep those children who need to live locally, in our local area. We do have some children living outside of Swindon, and we are committed to these children receiving just as good a service as those who remain in Swindon.
About You
Your aspirations should be limitless and you will be as determined and passionate about Children’s Services as we are. As a local authority, we continuously drive forward improvements in our services. We want our Social Workers to be part of our transformation, contribute to improving the safeguarding of our children, and we will make sure you have the full support network and training to do it. Our teams are ambitious and proactive and we are looking for people who will share that ambition and be a part of our journey.
Candidates must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act – for the effective performance of a customer-facing role).
Our commitment to your development
We are dedicated to ensuring that you can progress your continued professional development and access training and learning opportunities linked to the BASW competencies for career progression. We have an established Social Work & Leadership Academy. The Academy aims to celebrate the best in professional practice in Social Work and Social Care Leadership. The Academy represents an opportunity for us to demonstrate how we support, develop and value the professional disciplines in Social Work and Social Care through a targeted framework of career development and learning opportunities.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work-life balance.
Your next steps
Please read the role profile, which is available in the documents section to the right-hand side of the page. Before applying for a secondment, it is essential for all employees to discuss their availability for release with their line manager before applying. Should permission not be forthcoming then they should refer the matter to their Head of Service.
For further information about the role please contact Laurie Gullachsen, Fostering Team Manager at Gullachsen1@swindon.gov.uk. If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application, please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk.
Closing date: 2 September 2026
Interview date: 7 September 2026
Advanced Social Worker, Fostering Service in Swindon employer: Swindon Borough Council
Swindon is an exceptional employer for Advanced Social Workers, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to professional development through our Social Work & Leadership Academy, we provide ample opportunities for growth and mentorship, ensuring that our employees are supported in their career progression. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and creativity, all while maintaining a focus on work-life balance, making it a rewarding place to build your career in social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Social Worker, Fostering Service in Swindon
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Swindon Borough Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Social Worker, Fostering Service in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Swindon Borough Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Swindon Borough Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swindon Borough Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Swindon Borough Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Advanced Social Worker, Fostering Service role at Swindon Borough Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Swindon Borough Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
