Supervising Social Worker

Base Location: Edinburgh

Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday - Friday)

Salary: Up to £34,500 per annum

Out of Hours Allowance: £150 per week when on call

Benefits: £3,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan

About Us

Fosterplus was founded in 1996, giving us almost 25 years' continuous experience as an independent fostering agency. Continuity is important to us, and we look to create it in everything we do - most critically, for the children and young people we look after.

Many who enter our care have experienced a disrupted childhood and our aim is to break this cycle and provide more stability. We do this by carefully matching the right foster parents to the right children, and making sure we're always on hand with support, guidance, and help.

Our expertise helps ensure more successful placements - and that's exactly the sort of continuity we want. This commitment is spelled out in our mission which is to 'provide positive and stable family environments for the children and young people placed with our carers and ensure that, with the support of our carers, they can thrive emotionally and academically.

To provide this continuity, we focus on connections.

Requirements

Fosterplus Edinburgh is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker who is enthusiastic, committed and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills. We ask our Social Workers to take a collaborative approach with foster parents in order to promote meaningful and relevant supervision of placements. Experience of working with foster parents as professional colleagues and working within a multi-discipline arena is essential, as is holding a full driving licence, a confident driver and having unrestricted access to your own car.

This is a demanding position which includes both a quality assurance role to maintain high standards and a training role to prospective and current foster parents. You will be an excellent report writer and able to work to strict deadlines.

• Hold a SSSC recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent
• Previous experience of children and families social work is desirable
• A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to children's services as well as publications
• Good IT skills
• Experience of report writing/assessments
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to be flexible as to working pattern and travel

Responsibilities

• Direct support of foster parents within a realistic caseload which enables a high level of supervision
• Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents, enabling and monitoring their practice and ensuring their compliance with regulatory standards
• Participation in the Out of Hours rota
• To work in partnership with children, young people and foster parents and other professionals, local authorities and stakeholders, enabling full participation in assessment, planning, review and decision making relating to safeguarding and child protection

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by Fosterplus.

Fosterplus is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Fosterplus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.