Job Purpose
The Supervising Social Worker plays a central role in delivering a high‑quality fostering service within an exciting, stable and restorative team. The post holder will work in close partnership with foster carers and connected carers to support them in providing safe, nurturing and stable homes for children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families. Through consistent supervision, guidance and professional challenge, the role ensures foster carers are well supported, confident and equipped to meet the emotional, developmental and practical needs of the children in their care.
This role is rooted in relationship‑based and restorative practice, recognising that strong, trusting relationships with foster carers are essential to placement stability and positive outcomes. The Supervising Social Worker will offer reflective supervision, timely advice and emotional support, helping carers navigate the complexities of fostering while promoting learning, resilience and wellbeing. The post holder will also ensure that statutory duties are met, practice is compliant with legislation and standards, and children’s safety and welfare remain paramount.
Working collaboratively with children’s social workers, partner agencies and internal colleagues, the Supervising Social Worker will contribute to robust care planning and coordinated support around the child. The role requires a confident and experienced practitioner who can balance support with professional oversight, use sound judgement, and model restorative, trauma‑informed and strengths‑based practice. As part of a stable and supportive team, the post holder will actively contribute to a positive team culture, reflective learning and continuous service development, helping to create an environment where foster carers, children and professionals feel valued, supported and connected.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide effective supervision and support to a caseload of carers, promoting safe, high‑quality care for children and young people.
* Deliver statutory visits, annual reviews and fostering assessments in line with legislation, regulations and national minimum standards.
* Support carers to develop their skills, confidence and resilience, using trauma‑informed and restorative approaches.
* Contribute to placement stability through proactive planning, reflective practice and timely support.
* Prepare clear, analytical and high‑quality reports for fostering panels, reviews, care planning meetings and court proceedings as required.
* Work collaboratively with children’s social workers, education, health and other professionals to meet children’s needs holistically.
* Promote and embed restorative values within practice, including respectful communication and strengths‑based problem solving.
* Maintain accurate and timely case recording in accordance with service policies and statutory requirements.
Restorative Practice & Team Contribution
* Champion restorative, relational and child‑centred practice across all areas of work.
* Participate positively in supervision, team meetings and reflective learning opportunities.
* Contribute to a supportive, inclusive and learning‑focused team culture.
* Recognise the emotional demands of fostering work and promote wellbeing for carers and colleagues.
Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience
* Degree or Diploma in Social Work (or equivalent recognised qualification).
* Registration with Social Work England.
* A minimum of 3 years post‑qualification experience as a social worker, with experience working with children and families.
* Sound knowledge of fostering legislation, safeguarding and child development.
* Strong assessment, report writing and analytical skills.
* Ability to build trusted, professional relationships with carers, children and partner professionals.
* Commitment to restorative, trauma‑informed and strengths‑based practice.
Desirable
* Experience working within a fostering service as a Supervising Social Worker.
* Knowledge of attachment‑based or therapeutic parenting approaches.
* Experience supporting carers with children who have complex needs.
What We Offer
* An exciting role within a stable and established fostering service.
* A restorative, supportive team culture where reflection and wellbeing are prioritised.
* High‑quality supervision and opportunities for ongoing professional development.
* Flexible hybrid working to support work‑life balance.
* The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of carers and children.
About the Candidate
You will be a qualified Social Worker (Social Work England registered) with experience of working within fostering or children’s services. You will bring strong communication skills, sound professional judgement and a commitment to relationship‑based practice.
The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is an Enhanced Check plus DBS Children’s Barred List & DBS Adult’s Barred List.
Equal Opportunities
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
Closing Date
Sunday 10 May
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