Supervising Social Worker, ASCENT FOSTERING

Supervising Social Worker, ASCENT FOSTERING Join to apply for the Supervising Social Worker, ASCENT FOSTERING role at Guardian Jobs. Skills and Knowledge Must have a qualification in Social Work and be registered with Social Work England. Assessment and report writing skills, and the ability to produce analytical and well-evidenced reports for internal and external use as required. Good interpersonal skills, establishing effective working relationships through which one-to-one supervision and support are offered to foster carers. Group work skills, facilitating support groups and foster carer team meetings. Working knowledge of existing agency Policies and Procedures and their application. Sound understanding of current legislation and good practice guidance that governs and informs the delivery and standards of fostering service provision, as well as general developments in social work. Purpose To recruit, assess, train, supervise & support, and review a range of foster carers. To ensure that National Minimum Standards (2011), Regulations, schedules, and formal notifications to Ofsted are adhered to in respect of the provision of Fostering Services. To manage a caseload of foster carers, ensuring an effective deployment of services and resources to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in care and in alternative arrangements. To work in partnership with the local authority social work teams and to fully enact and facilitate care plans for children in placement. Key Tasks “This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.” General duties include: Managing a caseload of foster carers to meet the placement needs and outcomes for children placed in their care. Supervising foster carers, mentors and/or social work assistants as required. Conducting assessments of prospective and existing foster carers to determine suitability for approval or continued approval. Accurately recording and keeping up-to-date information using appropriate IT and information systems in accordance with the agency policy and procedures. Participating in duty tasks and Out of Hours (OOH) as part of the Ascent Fostering rota as directed by the Managers; working out of hours as agreed. Promoting standards which achieve equality of opportunity. Adhering to all relevant Policies & Procedures and foster guidance. Delivering training and workshops to foster carers. Recruitment and Assessment of Foster Carers Participating in campaigns to recruit foster carers. Responding to inquiries from the public regarding becoming a foster carer. Attending and participating in recruitment campaigns on a planned rota basis throughout the year on evenings and weekends. Visiting prospective foster carers. Directly participating in the planning and delivery of training to prospective foster carers on a planned rota basis, evenings, and weekends. Consultation, Support, Feedback, Complaints & Representations Contributing to the planning and delivery of support groups for a range of foster carers and alternative carers. Directly contributing to the planning and delivery of major fostering events such as the Annual Foster Carers Christmas lunch. Supporting consultation processes with foster carers and children placed in foster care and other alternative care arrangements. Providing information to respond to complaints and representations, and attending specific meetings such as mediation, complaints interviews, and formal attendance to IRM panels. Service Quality, Audit, and Inspection Maintaining and improving service quality, including maintenance of all records to ensure compliance with the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations 2011. Service Information Contributing to the development and production of service information to foster carers, such as the Foster Carers Newsletter, Website, publicity material, information packs etc. Decision Making Reporting safeguarding events to their manager and working in partnership with the local authority to ensure that Safeguarding and Fostering Policies and procedures are followed. Responsible for professional decision‑making in relation to supervision, support‑needs training, provision of information to foster carers, and carers involved in alternative care arrangements. Responsible for the foster carer’s agreement, placement agreement and risk assessments, safe care agreements and review of foster carers. Supervisory Responsibility for Foster Carers The post holder will be directly responsible for the supervision of approved foster carers, and carers where temporary approval has been granted. The post holder may also supervise mentors and social work assistants. Staff Supervision The post holder will receive monthly supervision and undergo an annual appraisal. The social worker will share the responsibility of ensuring supervision is booked and takes place as appropriate. The frequency of supervision may increase according to the complexity of cases, where additional support is requested or during the induction period. Personal Development All staff are responsible for their own personal development and engage in training specific to Ascent’s therapeutic practice. Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Other Industry Advertising Services #J-18808-Ljbffr