Supervising Social Worker - Fostering Team (Children's)

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Supervising Social Worker to join our Fostering Team. The Fostering Team are responsible for the support and supervision of our North Somerset Foster Carers to meet the needs of our children in care.

In this role, you will play a central role in ensuring foster carers meet the National Minimum Standards. The Supervising Social Worker's role is to ensure that foster carers are supported to provide a high standard of care to our most vulnerable children. Being able to balance the need to challenge with the need to provide support is essential for this role., They will provide regular reflective supervision with their allocated foster carers and keep in regular contact with carers, social workers and the fostered children.
Regular home visits (including 2x unannounced visits a year) to the foster parents' homes, along with regular communication with everyone involved in the child or young person's life.
Support foster carers to attend meetings, help with their report writing and ensure that they keep appropriate records.
Work with the child's foster carers and social worker to manage and, where appropriate, maintain contact between the children and their birth families.
Identify training opportunities each foster carer may need. They will help foster carers to meet the national minimum standards, and help them to achieve their own, personal learning and development goals.
Supervising social workers are required to write balanced annual foster carer reviews, present reviews at fostering panel with their carers and will contribute to writing standards of care/allegation reports when necessary.
Undertake fostering duty tasks such as supporting to find homes to children who need to be cared for by the Local Authority.
Be available in offering practical and emotional support to foster carers and colleagues to reduce placement breakdown.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role., We are looking for an individual who is passionate about fostering and who possesses the following skills and experience, Has a Social Work Degree and is registered with Social Work England
Work experience within a fostering team, service users and social care professionals
Experience of writing balanced reports and in-depth foster carer reviews
Confident in preparing and present reports to foster panel
Excellent ICT, communication and organisational skills
Experience and knowledge of the Fostering National Minimum Standards
Knowledge and experience of using strengths-based approaches, restorative practice and knowledge of Mockingbird Model
Ability to recognise when support is needed and respond proportionally to crisis

Desirable Criteria:
Has worked in a Local Authority who adopts the Mockingbird Model
Experience of working with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Experience of attending a foster panel
Experience of writing a safeguarding report e.g. standards of care/allegation report
Worked within a child protection/safeguarding team, Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

1/2 days in the office (flexible due to this being a part time post)
Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration., Competitive salary and benefits
Flexible working arrangements
Local Government Pension
Opportunities for professional development
Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes