At a Glance
- Tasks: Support fostering practices through advice, advocacy, training, and consultancy services.
- Company: Join the UK's leading fostering charity dedicated to empowering the fostering community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days of leave, flexible working, and enhanced pay options.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and foster carers.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification with fostering experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 43483 - 48659 £ per year.
Salary Range: £43,483 - £48,659
Hours: 35
Location: Hybrid - Wales
Closing Date: 23 September 2026
Who we are
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, dedicated to empowering, enriching and supporting the relationships at the heart of the fostering community.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a proactive, effective communicator, with excellent interpersonal skills in Wales. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable but not essential for this role. You will have a social work qualification with fostering practitioner or foster carer experience. You will be someone who enjoys a diverse role where no two days are the same and will have skills in training, advocacy and mediation and a sound knowledge of fostering legislation and guidance developed through a range of experiences across fostering. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!
What you’ll be doing
Practice Consultants work as a team to support The Fostering Network’s overarching strategy through delivery of the key services of Advice, Advocacy and Mediation, Training and Practice Consultancy Services. Our Practice Services are guided by three key drivers:
- Trauma Informed
- Child Centred
- Solution Focused
Primary Objectives:
- Drive forward quality improvements in fostering practice through the direct hands-on delivery of practice services to a wide range of stakeholders including (but not limited to) social workers, fostering services and foster carers.
- Provide specialist input into the development of fostering policy and practice across the UK ensuring The Fostering Network maintains its role as a sector leader and continues to provide high-quality support and advice to its members, stakeholders and society.
- Assist with the development and delivery of The Fostering Network’s product and publications portfolio.
- Work in collaboration with relevant wider stakeholders to build relationships, deliver our membership offer, exploring opportunities to enhance it and to incorporate our practice consultancy offer.
What we can offer you
- 38 days leave (including bank holidays)
- A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
- Enhanced sick pay
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
- Pension and life assurance
- Contribution to eye tests and lenses
- Season ticket loans
Our commitments to you
The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit.
- If you identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant.
- If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process.
- We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share.
Main Stakeholders
In addition to their immediate team, this role-holder will particularly work with:
- Senior Leadership Team
- Heads of Team
- Assistant Directors
- Engagement & Influence Directorate
- HR and Finance
- Members, fostering services, staff and foster carers
- Associates
- Other third sector organisations
- Local Authorities and Trusts
- Private providers (IFPs)
- Inspectorates
- Suppliers (LMS)
- Forums
What we’re looking for:
Essential Knowledge, Experience & Qualifications
- Foster carer or degree level relevant qualification or social work qualification with fostering practitioner experience.
- In depth working knowledge and experience of supporting fostering services with a current understanding of fostering and the issues facing foster care.
- An excellent working knowledge, understanding and working experience of the legislative and regulatory framework that governs foster care in the UK and emerging evidence from research.
- Experience of providing consultancy and advice to fostering or related services.
- Experience of providing advocacy and mediation to foster carers or related services.
- Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating training and facilitating forums and webinars.
- Experience of contributing towards the development of publications.
- Working knowledge of safeguarding practices and procedures.
Essential Skills & Attitudes
- Ability to role model excellent customer service and to develop and build strong working relationships with internal and external groups.
- Creative thinking, problem-solving and the ability to identify opportunities from existing activity.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to listen to and empathise with different stakeholder groups.
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write good practice guidance and information for fostering services and other audiences.
- Proven computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office and database packages and willingness to learn and use new software as required.
- Ability to work flexible hours and travel.
- Commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of information held by The Fostering Network.
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Commitment to The Fostering Network’s mission, vision and values.
Desirable
- Care experienced and/or lived experience of foster care.
- Welsh language speaker.
- Practice Education Award.
- A teaching or training qualification or equivalent.
Practice Consultant (Wales) employer: The Fostering Network
The Fostering Network is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and enriching work environment dedicated to empowering the fostering community in Wales. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide generous benefits such as 38 days of leave, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative culture that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Consultant (Wales)
✨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 The Fostering Network.
✨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 The Fostering Network!
✨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 The Fostering Network, 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 The Fostering Network 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 Practice Consultant (Wales)
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 The Fostering Network:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Fostering Network! 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 The Fostering Network
✨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.
