Job Description

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE

The Supervising Social Worker is a key position that brings together the needs of looked after children and young people, the support and management of foster carers, to liaise with the placing authority, and the administration and delivery of the service, in keeping with government legislation, regulations, and standards.

We are currently offering ASYE programmes to qualified social workers.

KEY DUTIES

Assess, support, and develop foster carers.

To deliver a quality service to carers, children & young people in our care.

Contribute to the growth & development of the business.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Support and Supervision of Foster Carers

Recruit, assess, and monitor the continued suitability and competence of foster carers ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children/young people.

Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in the Agency's policies & procedures and carers' handbook.

Support foster carers to evidence their competence against the Training Support & Development Standards and complete the workbook within specified timescales, assess evidence provided and sign off each standard where sufficient evidence has been provided.

Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster carers in line with the agency's operational standards and undertake such additional support visits/telephone contact with foster carers as required considering all family members' needs.

Contribute to Foster Carer Annual Reviews, within required timescales, providing written evidence of competence. Presenting Annual Review Reports to the Fostering Panel as required.

Social Workers should ensure that all their carers have an accurate, up to date and signed Foster Carer Agreement that meets regulatory requirements.

Identify learning and development needs of foster carers, record in their Personal Development Plan and recommend actions required.

Undertake regular visits to children and young people placed in our care in line with company policy.

Attend meetings to support foster carers, children, and young people (all professional meetings relevant to any above parties).

Support foster carers in achieving and working within children's care plans including moving on into independence.

Assist in the delivery of training for foster carers including the Skills to Foster training programme.

Ensure that foster carers are aware of wider support systems available such as FosterTalk.

Participate in an office based fostering support duty system on a rota basis.

Safeguarding

Ensure that all fostering households have a Safer Caring strategy.

Ensure each child has an accurate and up to date Care Plan on file and that carers have a copy available for reference.

Work in partnership with the relevant authority to ensure that the child and young person's needs as identified in the Care Plan and placement agreement are met.

Ensure each child has a Placement Agreement on file and that carers have a copy available for reference if appropriate.

Ensure that comprehensive case recordings are completed and maintained within policy timeframes.

Demonstrate a sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures and attend safeguarding training as offered by the organisation.

Participate in negotiations between the agency and local authorities to ensure that each child or young person placed is carefully matched with a foster carer capable of meeting their needs.

Complete paperwork and procedures in relation to significant Incidents and Notifiable Events within company timescales.

Ensure the necessary Risk Assessments are completed in line with the Agency's policies and procedures.

Ensure compliance with Social Work England to retain job title and registration.

Attend social and consultation activities relating to the support of children, young people, and foster carers.

In consultation with line manager, ensure that learning and professional development needs are met.

Ensure that all foster carers and adult household members have an up to date DBS/medical/health & safety home check.

Administration

Take responsibility for file administration, typing of all communication, reports, and case recordings.

To take overall responsibility for the foster carer and children's file, ensuring relevant and accurate information is recorded in a timely manner.

Take responsibility for ensuring that you are trained and competent with the company's system and database.

Organisational

To undertake broadly similar duties commensurate with the level of the post as required by the manager even where the tasks are not specifically outlined in the job description.

To be an effective advocate for Connect Fostering Services, promoting a positive image to maintain our high standards and positive reputation.

To work within the provisions of the Data Protection Act (GDPR), observing strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of work undertaken.

The post holder will be expected to competently use electronic systems effectively.

The post holder will be expected to undertake training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post

The post holder will be expected to ensure compliance with all policies within the employee handbook.

Ensuring compliance with safeguarding procedures, throughout all work within the company, keeping the manager informed of work in progress and informing the manager immediately of any safeguarding matter or serious complaint.

The nature of the agency business means that tasks and responsibilities are sometimes unpredictable. Staff are therefore expected to work flexibly when the occasion arises.

Travel is expected as part of this role and owning a car is strongly advised. The role is hybrid-remote.

SW England Registration required by start date - May 2025

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 31,000.00-33,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme
Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime Referral programme Work from home
Schedule:

8 hour shift Monday to Friday
Education:

Bachelor's (required)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (preferred) Social Work England registration (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Iver

Reference ID: SSWX1/MAY25
Expected start date: 10/05/2025