Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering
Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering

Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering

Full-Time 40925 - 40925 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The FCA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead therapeutic practice and support foster parents in providing trauma-informed care.
  • Company: Join Foster Care Associates, a leading independent fostering agency in North Wales.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car or allowance, and 30+ days of annual leave.
  • Other info: Participate in fun wellbeing activities and access excellent training opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive and flexible environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with strong therapeutic knowledge and experience in complex family dynamics.

The predicted salary is between 40925 - 40925 £ per year.

Location: North Wales - Abergele Office (Office-Based with Flexible Working)

Salary: Up to £40,925.36 per annum (dependent on experience)

Contract: Full Time

About Us

Foster Care Associates (FCA), part of the Polaris Community, is a leading independent fostering agency committed to making a positive and lasting difference for children, young people, and families. Our service is underpinned by a strong therapeutic ethos, ensuring children in foster care receive trauma-informed, nurturing, and consistent care.

Benefits

  • Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance
  • 30 days' annual leave (rising to 35 days after length of service) plus bank holidays
  • Company Pension Scheme
  • Free on-site Parking
  • Life Assurance
  • Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan

Additional Benefits

  • Refer a friend scheme with a monetary incentive
  • Opportunity to complete Form Fs for an additional payment
  • An exceptional platform available for online and face-to-face training opportunities
  • Opportunity to complete Practice Assessor Award
  • OOH service (additional payment to social workers for undertaking evening and weekend OOH duty service)

The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Therapeutic Social Worker to join our North Wales team. This is an amazing opportunity to join our inspirational and friendly team. Our office is based in Abergele and we support the hybrid model of working with lots of flexibility to work from home. This is a specialist role, designed to strengthen and embed therapeutic practice across the service. You will provide guidance, consultation, and support to foster parents and colleagues, helping to ensure that all care provided is trauma-informed and relationship-based. While the primary focus of the role is therapeutic, responsibilities may include holding a caseload of foster families in the role of Supervising Social Worker (SSW), supporting continuity of care and practice integration.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

We are committed to the wellbeing of our staff. The aim of our Staff Wellbeing Strategy is to increase all our employees' wellbeing, self-esteem, and sense of belonging to a team and create new environments for them to spend productive time together. This includes walk and talks at the beach or in parks, wellbeing hour, park runs, mindfulness sessions, sea dipping, yoga sessions, raft racing and charity events to name a few. Our office environment is friendly and inviting with tea, coffee, breakfast and lunch items always available for our staff to contribute towards their wellbeing. Robust induction, supportive management team, monthly reflective supervision with line manager and regular learning and reflective opportunities with the Social Work team.

Core Purpose

  • To lead and promote therapeutic and trauma-informed practice across the fostering service
  • To support foster parents and staff to understand and respond to complex behaviours and developmental needs
  • To provide specialist therapeutic consultation, training, and reflective support
  • To improve fostering home stability and outcomes for children and young people

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide therapeutic consultation and reflective spaces for foster parents and staff
  • Deliver 1:1 sessions and structured support to foster parents
  • Facilitate/support therapeutic parenting training, workshops, and group sessions
  • Offer joint sessions with foster families and young people, where appropriate
  • Support understanding and application of: Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Attachment theory and developmental trauma, Emotional regulation and relational approaches, Therapeutic parenting models
  • Contribute to formulation, planning, and review of therapeutic care
  • Champion a consistent therapeutic model across the service

Practice Leadership

  • Act as a therapeutic lead within the team
  • Support colleagues to embed trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches in their practice
  • Provide guidance, coaching, and consultation to social work staff
  • Contribute to the development of therapeutic services, models, and interventions

Social Work Responsibilities (Where Required)

  • Undertake a caseload of foster parents in a Supervising Social Worker capacity
  • Provide supervision and ensure foster parents meet required standards
  • Complete necessary safeguarding, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities
  • Produce high-quality reports, recordings, and documentation
  • Work collaboratively with local authorities and professional networks
  • Participate in duty systems and out-of-hours support where required

About You

We are looking for a practitioner who brings strong therapeutic knowledge alongside social work expertise. You will:

  • Be a qualified Social Worker
  • Be registered with Social Care Wales (or eligible to register)
  • Have in-depth knowledge of: Trauma-informed practice, Attachment theory, Therapeutic and psychologically informed approaches
  • Have experience working with foster parents, children, or families with complex needs
  • Be confident delivering: Training and group work, Consultation and reflective practice
  • Be able to apply therapeutic thinking within a social care context

Essential Requirements

  • Social Work qualification
  • Registration with Social Care Wales
  • Strong safeguarding knowledge and report writing skills
  • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel

Why Join Us?

  • A unique opportunity to work in a dedicated therapeutic practitioner role within fostering
  • Influence and shape practice across the service
  • Be part of a supportive, reflective, and values-driven team
  • Access excellent training and professional development opportunities

Interested? We would love to hear from you. Apply now or contact us for an informal discussion. Contact Anna Pearson, Fostering Service Manager.

Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering employer: The FCA

Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment in Abergele, North Wales. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits including a company car or allowance, extensive annual leave, and a variety of wellness activities that promote team bonding and personal growth. Our commitment to professional development ensures that our staff have access to comprehensive training opportunities, making FCA a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in therapeutic social work.
The FCA

Contact Detail:

The FCA Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who are already working in fostering. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to therapeutic practices and fostering. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to get comfortable discussing your experience and approach.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for therapeutic social work during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've applied trauma-informed practices in your previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands the importance of this work.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at FCA.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering

Therapeutic Knowledge
Trauma-Informed Practice
Attachment Theory
Psychologically Informed Approaches
Consultation Skills
Reflective Practice
Training Delivery
Group Work Facilitation
Supervising Social Work
Safeguarding Knowledge
Report Writing Skills
Collaboration with Local Authorities
Coaching and Guidance
Adaptability in Social Care Context

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for therapeutic social work shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Focus on your therapeutic knowledge and any work you've done with foster families or complex needs – this is what we’re really looking for!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity with our team.

How to prepare for a job interview at The FCA

✨Know Your Therapeutic Models

Make sure you brush up on the therapeutic models and approaches mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you've applied trauma-informed practices in your previous roles, as this will show your understanding of the core purpose of the position.

✨Showcase Your Experience with Complex Needs

Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully supported foster parents or children with complex needs. Highlight your experience in delivering training and group work, as well as any reflective practice sessions you've facilitated.

✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit

This role is all about collaboration, so be prepared to talk about how you've worked within a team to embed therapeutic practices. Share instances where you've provided guidance or coaching to colleagues, showcasing your leadership skills.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that reflect your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their approach to staff wellbeing or how they support ongoing professional development, which shows you're keen to be part of their supportive environment.

Senior Therapeutic Social Worker - Fostering
The FCA

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