We are a well‑established Independent Fostering Agency, proudly family‑owned and managed, and supporting foster parents and young people since 2015. Operating across Wales, Herefordshire, the West Midlands, Shropshire and Stoke, we are committed to providing high‑quality care and creating a genuinely supportive, collaborative working environment for our staff.
About the Role
As our organisation continues to grow, we are looking for a passionate, motivated Social Worker to join our team. This role will focus on supporting foster parents across Shropshire and Stoke.
Benefits of working for us include
* Up to 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
* A further 5 days annual leave after 5 years of service
* Paid staff membership to FosterTalk with employee benefits and rewards
* Free comprehensive private health cover following successful probation
* Competitive mileage rates
* Employer contributory pension scheme
* Low caseloads to allow for high quality support
* High levels of supervision and managerial support
If you are interested in finding out more about the role then we would LOVE to hear from you. Feel free to drop us an email on info@familyfosteringpartners.co.uk to arrange an informal chat or meeting, or to request an application form.
Job Description
Job Title: Supervising Social Worker
Based at: Home based, with travel across Shropshire, Stoke and the West Midlands.
Reports to: Fostering Manager
Job Type: Full time, with the option to discuss condensed hours or a four‑day working week for the right candidate.
Salary: From £34,514 to £42,656, depending on experience
Closing Date for applications: 13th of April 2026
Interview date for short‑listed candidates: 20th April 2026
Main purpose of the role
* Provide high quality professional support and regular supervision to foster parents.
* Contribute to effective matching that promotes the best possible outcomes for children.
* Prepare clear, comprehensive reports for annual reviews and attend Panel as required.
* Participate in the Out of Hours rota, offering responsive support.
* Undertake Form F assessments and guide applicants through the process.
Responsibilities and duties
General
* Participate in professional supervision as required by the Fostering Manager, contributing to reflective practice and continuous improvement.
* Adhere to all policies, procedures, and established practices of Family Fostering Partners, including administrative and management processes.
* Maintain up to date knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practice.
* Commit to ongoing professional development by attending training and actively engaging in agreed learning activities, as directed by the Fostering Manager.
Supporting and supervising foster parents
* Work closely with Foster Parents through regular supervision, in line with Family Fostering Partners’ policies and procedures, ensuring they fully understand their role and responsibilities.
* Identify and record Foster Parents’ development needs within a Personal Development Plan, providing organisational, professional, and personal support to help them develop the skills and competencies required to care for children and young people.
* Ensure Foster Parents engage fully with, & benefit from, the supervision process.
* Undertake additional support visits and other forms of contact as required, taking into account the needs of all household members.
* Support Foster Parents at all relevant professional meetings, ensuring they are well‑prepared & appropriately represented.
* Contribute to the organisation and facilitation of Foster Parent Support Groups as needed.
* Play an active role in organising & attending events for foster parents, children, and young people.
* Support Foster Parents in maintaining accurate and compliant records in line with Family Fostering Partners’ requirements.
* Contribute to the ongoing review, development, and performance monitoring of Foster Parents.
* Ensure placement matches are made and sustained in accordance with each child’s Care and Placement Plan and Family Fostering Partners’ policies and procedures.
* Alert the Fostering Manager to any concerns regarding a Foster Parent’s performance and, under direction, assist in developing and implementing performance improvement plans.
* Report any child protection or safeguarding concerns immediately to the Fostering Manager, in line with Local Authority and Family Fostering Partners’ safeguarding policies and procedures.
Training of foster parents
* Completing their induction into the fostering service, ensuring they are fully introduced to the organisation and understand its expectations.
* Using supervision to actively monitor learning and develop tailored training plans for continuous professional development, providing support to help Foster Parents evidence their competencies.
* Promoting attendance at post‑approval training, Foster Parent Support Groups, & other learning events to ensure Foster Parents meet their contractual obligation
Recruitment of foster parents
* Promoting Family Fostering Partners through both formal & informal engagement opportunities.
* Supporting information‑sharing events, open days, & other recruitment activities.
Working with children & young people
* Professionally befriending them and acting as a ‘safe person’. Supervising Social Workers are expected to see and speak with each child alone at least every third visit to the fostering household.
* Providing support in relation to their care needs, including helping them access advocacy services and their Local Authority Social Worker when required.
* Securing access to appropriate services by negotiating with, and where necessary challenging, other professionals and organisations to ensure their needs are met.
* Providing each child with an age‑appropriate copy of the Family Fostering Partners Children’s Guide and, where appropriate, reviewing it with them to support their understanding.
* Delivering one‑to‑one work with children when required, which may include life‑story work or preparation for adoption.
* Supporting and assisting in the facilitation of young people’s and children’s forums and activities, contributing to Family Fostering Partners’ commitment to involving children in shaping service delivery.
* Immediately alerting the Fostering Manager, or any other appropriate authority, to any matters requiring urgent action, including child protection concerns or whistleblowing issues.
Finding and supporting suitable homes for children
* Participating in the matching process for children, ensuring all placement matches align with Foster Parents’ approval terms and agency policy.
* Obtaining contractual paperwork and CLA documentation from placing Local Authorities in a timely manner to enable appropriate administration, Foster Parent preparation, support, and supervision.
* Working collaboratively with Local Authority representatives to ensure they fulfil their obligations to children placed with our foster families, promoting positive & effective working relationships.
* Representing Family Fostering Partners at Children’s Looked After Reviews & at other relevant meetings.
* Providing a service that enables children & young people living in our foster homes to achieve their full potential.
* Supporting young people leaving care to make a successful transition to adulthood by assisting Local Authorities in developing support plans & connecting young people with appropriate local organisations.
* Assisting in the timely & accurate completion of Foster Parent Reviews & any additional documentation required by the Foster Panel.
Growing the organisation
* Professionally representing the agency in all direct contacts with Local Authority Social Services & any other relevant stakeholders.
* Contributing to the development of promotional & marketing materials.
* Acting as an ambassador for the agency at local & national events & forums, as required.
* Supporting preparation for, & participation in, regulatory inspections conducted by CIW &/or OFSTED.
Person specification
* Social Work Degree or equivalent qualification, for example CQSW or DipSW: Essential
* Registration with Social Work England: Essential
* 3 years post qualifying experience of working with children * families in social care setting: Desirable
* Good working knowledge of significant legislation impacting on children & fostering: Desirable
* Excellent understanding of children’s safeguarding needs: Essential
* Experience of completing assessments: Desirable
* Applicants must be a confident driver; hold a valid driving licence & have access to a car: Essential
* Ability to communicate effectively verbally & in writing at all levels: Essential
* Good time management & organisational skills: Essential
* Good computer literacy skills & the ability to confidently use virtual platforms to engage with foster parents & children: Essential
* Ability to challenge foster parents on unsafe or concerning behaviour & promote reflective practice to drive positive change: Essential
* Ability to work with foster & birth parents to support children’s development using tailored therapeutic parenting strategies: Essential
* Ability to be reflective of own practice & areas for development: Essential
* Able to respond flexibly to the demands of the post & prioritise & meet deadlines: Essential
* Understanding responsibilities in protecting your own health, safety, & wellbeing, & that of your colleagues & others: Essential
* The ability to work effectively as part of a team: Essential
* Ability to produce work to deadlines & work under pressure: Essential
* High level of personal integrity & commitment to confidentiality: Essential
* Commitment to promoting equal opportunities & diversity: Essential
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