Supervising social worker

Outset Fostering Agency was founded by experienced foster carers and social workers who are committed to improving outcomes for children in care. The agency partners with local councils across the UK to provide high-quality, stable foster placements. Outset Fostering Agency focuses on child‑centred practice, ensuring that each child’s safety, well‑being, and development are at the heart of every decision. The team values collaboration, professional integrity, and ongoing learning to support carers and children effectively.

About the job

This is a full-time Supervising Social Worker role to join our team based in Birmingham. This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a mix of office, community, and home working. The Supervising Social Worker will provide regular supervision and support to foster carers, including home visits, reflective discussions, and practical guidance to promote safe, nurturing placements.

The role involves completing assessments, reports, and reviews; contributing to care planning; and attending or chairing meetings such as LAC reviews, professionals’ meetings, and placement planning meetings. The postholder will participate in the recruitment, assessment, training, and retention of foster carers, ensuring they receive ongoing learning and development opportunities.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities also include maintaining accurate, timely case records; managing safeguarding concerns; collaborating with local authorities and multi‑agency partners; and participating in an out‑of‑hours support rota where required. You may be reasonably expected to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of responsibility that may be allocated from time to time.

• Flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance
• 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years of service

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Social Work (e.g., BA, BSc, MA, or equivalent) and registration with the appropriate UK regulatory body (e.g., Social Work England).
• You will have good IT skills, used for your reports.
• Proven experience in fostering, children’s services, or closely related social work settings, including direct work with children, young people, and families.
• Strong skills in assessment, care planning, report writing, and risk management, with the ability to maintain accurate and compliant case records.
• Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and advocacy skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with carers, children, and multi‑agency professionals.
• Capability to prioritise workload, manage deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a supportive team in a hybrid environment.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding, relevant fostering legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice in trauma‑informed and child‑centred work.
• Willingness to travel within the region for visits and meetings, and to participate in an out‑of‑hours support rota when required. Access to your own transport is strongly preferred.

Additional information

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.