Foster Care Associates (FCA)

Senior / Supervising Social Worker

Salary: Up to £39,392.73 per annum, dependent upon experience
Benefits: Company Car or £2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days‘ Annual Leave rising to 35 days with length of service + Bank Holidays (pro rata), Life Assurance, Company Pension, On-site Free Parking, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan
Location: Durham
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

About Us

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK‘s largest leading communities of children‘s service providers.

The business was founded with a passion for delivering fostering services that make a positive difference to the lives of looked-after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and this remains our Head Office today.

Over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. Our purpose remains the same: to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities, supported by values that help young people reach their full potential.

Today, we are one of the country‘s largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. Despite our size, we maintain a strong sense of community and remain committed to supporting every child and foster parent.

Duties Will Include

• Support foster carers and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care
• Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of foster carers, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and 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 FCA policies and procedures
• Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster carers in line with FCA‘s Operational Standards
• Work in partnership using a team parenting approach to identify needs within foster families, e.g. respite, activities, therapy and holidays, contributing to relevant meetings and associated tasks
• Ensure each child and foster carer is fully compliant in respect of all key documentation
• Attend meetings and/or provide reports for commissioning teams to address individual packages of care
• Promote participation of children and young people in the development of the agency and access to local resources and opportunities
• Participate in an ‘out of hours‘ support service on a rota basis
• Undertake occasional initial home visits and Form F Assessments

You Must Have

• A Social Work qualification
• Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent
• Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures
• The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away)
• Confidence in transporting children and young people in sometimes challenging situations
• Full driving licence

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Catherine Todd, Registered Manager, on .

To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch.

No agencies please.

Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by Jobcentre Plus.

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check if successful for the position.