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- Tasks: Join our team to recruit and assess foster carers, ensuring high-quality outcomes for children.
- Company: Be part of a dedicated fostering service that values social work excellence and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and discounts on healthcare and gym memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with experience in child-focused settings; fostering experience is a plus.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous professional development and training delivery.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Advanced Social Work Practitioner to join our Recruitment and Assessing Team within the fostering service. This is a key role that supports the recruitment and assessment of prospective foster carers, including the transfer of registration for existing approved foster families. In addition you may at times complete Connected Carer assessments and will hold responsibility for Assessment of Private Fostering arrangements and monitoring of successful arrangements. As an Advanced Practitioner, you will work directly with prospective foster carers, children and young people, and a range of professionals to ensure high-quality outcomes. You will play a vital role in supervising workers within the team, offering guidance and support to maintain consistent standards of practice. You will also step in to support the management team when required, contributing to both operational and strategic decision-making. A key part of your role will be to take the lead in delivering training to foster carers, including both preparation courses for new applicants and refresher training to support ongoing development in their role as foster carers.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and participate in recruitment and participation events, both public-facing and virtual, involving foster carers and their children.
- Undertake duty tasks and respond to enquiries from prospective carers.
- Conduct home visits and complete initial assessments of suitability to foster.
- Complete Form F assessments and present them at foster panel.
- Facilitate and deliver the three-day preparation to foster course and other training opportunities for both approved and prospective carers.
- Promote and encourage attendance at training events.
- Organise support and consultation groups for looked-after children and birth children.
- Undertake Connected Carers and Private Fostering assessments as required.
- Supervise and support team members, offering guidance and oversight to ensure consistent quality of work.
- Step in to support the management team in operational and strategic tasks when needed.
- Report safeguarding concerns to the line manager promptly.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of all work undertaken, carers, children and young people, and a range of professionals to ensure high-quality outcomes.
Qualifications and Experience
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Experience working with children and young people in both group and one-to-one settings.
- Strong understanding of the needs and circumstances of children and young people in care.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and time management skills.
- Ability to build strong relationships with children, carers, and professionals.
- Experience in the fostering sector is desirable but not essential.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Commitment to therapeutic training and continuous professional development.
What We Offer
- Flexible, home-based working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Excellent CPD opportunities.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Access to an occupational pension scheme.
- A range of employee benefits including discounts on healthcare, public transport, and gym memberships.
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Advance Social Work Practitioner employer: Wakefield Council
Contact Detail:
Wakefield Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advance Social Work Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the fostering sector. Attend relevant workshops, seminars, or online events to connect with others who work in social work and fostering. This can help you gain insights into the role and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest policies and practices in fostering. Being knowledgeable about current trends and regulations will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with children and young people in detail. Think of specific examples where you've made a positive impact, as this will showcase your skills and suitability for the Advanced Social Work Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to highlight your leadership and training abilities. Since the role involves supervising team members and delivering training, think of instances where you've successfully led a team or facilitated training sessions.
We think you need these skills to ace Advance Social Work Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly with children and young people. Emphasise any previous roles that involved recruitment, assessment, or training within the fostering sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for fostering and your understanding of the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead training sessions and support team members.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your registration with Social Work England. If you have completed any therapeutic training or continuous professional development, be sure to mention it.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with children, carers, and professionals. This could include instances where you've facilitated training or led discussions in group settings.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wakefield Council
✨Show Your Passion for Social Work
Make sure to express your genuine passion for social work and fostering during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as it will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working with children and young people, especially in fostering or similar settings. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills in assessment, communication, and relationship-building.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As an Advanced Practitioner, you'll be supervising team members. Highlight any past leadership roles or experiences where you've guided others. Discuss how you can support and mentor colleagues to maintain high standards of practice.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would handle them, particularly regarding safeguarding and assessments.