Supervising Social Worker – Fostering Team

Channels & Choices is an award winning, dynamic company specialising in children’s residential care, Fostering and Education based in South East Kent. OFSTED judge our services as ‘Outstanding’

We are currently looking to recruit a Supervising Social Worker based within our Fostering Agency in South East Kent. This position is a permanent role and you will be responsible for the assessment, supervision and support of foster carers based in Kent. The successful candidate will be part of our unique, expanding organisation which helps children achieve their full potential.

The post is permanent, full time (37.5 hours) and is based within our Fostering Team in South East Kent.  We offer a competitive Salary Range of £30,000 – £40,000 per annum. Further benefits include 36 days paid annual leave per year and a loyalty scheme which rewards you with extra annual leave following 2 years of service. We will also consider part time for this position: 22.5 hours and above.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with regulations, legislation and best practice guidelines
• Provide support and supervise a small group of carers
• Provide high quality services to the children and young people placed with Channels and Choices Fostering Services
• Ensure an excellent quality service that promotes positive outcomes for looked after children
• Be responsible for timely Form F Assessments and other relevant assessments and reports
• Promote the company and ensure professional standards are maintained at all times

Experience & Skills

• You must be professionally registered with Social Work England, and eligible to work in the UK
• You must have a relevant Social Work qualification (BA/MA Social Work/DipSW or equivalent)
• Previous social work experience, ideally within a fostering team
• Full working knowledge of current statutory and regulatory guidelines governing the operation of fostering, services for children and young people and of child care legislation
• Full UK Driving License and use of own car
• Flexibility, adaptability, confidentiality
• You will be required to form part of an on call team

Person Specification (Essential) 

• Professional Registration with HCPC and eligible to work in the UK
• Relevant Social Work qualification (BA/MA Social Work/DipSW or equivalent)
• Minimum of 1 years’ experience working with children &, adolescents within the Care System as well as, families and foster carers – preferably within a Fostering Agency or similar setting
• Experience of working with relevant client groups who present with his levels of complexity and difficulty
• Excellent verbal , communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with carers, children, families and colleagues
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative as well as within a team
• Ability to build relationships and promote change
• Computer literate for report and assessment writing
• Skills in providing consultation to foster carers or other client groups
• Ability to identify and provide appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to distressing situations and challenging behaviour
• Good understanding of child development
• Full working knowledge of current statutory and regulatory guidelines governing the operation of fostering, services for children and young people and of child care legislation
• Understanding of Child Protection & Safeguarding
• Commitment to continued professional and personal development
• Professional credibility
• Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity
• Demonstrate a commitment to supervision and reflective practice
• Driver with use of own car.

Person Specification (Desireable)

• Experience of undertaking Form F Assessments
• Ability to facilitate or develop training courses
• Working knowledge of Attachment Theory based practice
• Knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents

These are exciting times as Channels & Choices continues to expand and develop its Fostering & Residential Services and we are looking for someone to join our dynamic multi-disciplinary staff team who has a passion for promoting outstanding outcomes for children in care.

We have a strong commitment to staff development and there will be considerable opportunities for internal and external training and for sharing good practice within the community.

Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care.  Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.  This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK.  As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CV’s cannot be considered without a completed application form.

Strictly no agencies thank you.