Could you help provide crucial support to families who foster East Sussex Children? We are looking for a Social Worker whose impact will be widely felt for the families and children.
We are seeking a creative and professionally curious Social Worker to join our Outstanding Children’s Fostering Service based in Eastbourne, within our Support and Supervision Team. Our team benefits from a stable staff and management structure, and foster carers have access to excellent training, placement support, and wider well-being benefits. The Fostering Service is part of the high-performing and well-regarded East Sussex Looked After Children’s Service, which has received many “Outstanding” inspection judgments. We aim to deliver an ambitious and creative service that meets the complex needs of our children. Our fostering service benefits from excellent practice and strong partnerships with the East Sussex Foster Care Association.
We seek individuals who are ambitious for the young people and families they serve, and who are fully committed to making a positive difference. We value imagination, creativity, and curiosity in professional practice when working with foster families. There are ample training and development opportunities for all staff in East Sussex.
It is essential that you possess excellent communication, assessment, and safeguarding skills, and that you can effectively support those you supervise to work in partnership as part of the team around the child. You should be able to work to deadlines, and we support flexible work practices with appropriate technology. You will join a motivated and forward-thinking team and will receive excellent supervision and training in a supportive environment. Access to a car and the ability to travel countywide and beyond are required.
Key Tasks
1. Undertake a full range of social work tasks independently, demonstrating the ability to handle risk and complexity within relevant legislation.
2. Manage a full caseload, providing high-quality advice and support to foster carers, while fulfilling supervisory roles to ensure the fostered child feels secure, is thriving, and that the carer meets the fostering service’s requirements.
3. Maintain up-to-date case notes and checks as per service expectations and present reports to panels as required.
4. Work cohesively with other professionals involved in the team around the child.
5. Work confidently in a fast-paced environment, managing challenging placements and adhering to safeguarding and risk management protocols.
6. Build professional relationships with foster carers while maintaining appropriate boundaries, and manage complaints, concerns, and allegations against carers.
7. Contribute to the learning and development of social work students, newly qualified social workers, and other team members through supervision and mentoring.
8. Engage in continuous professional development and undertake relevant training aligned with the Professional Capability Framework and Knowledge and Skills Statement.
To apply, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button to upload your CV and cover letter, addressing how you meet all the criteria in the person specification based on your relevant experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more details.
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall (Lewes) within two weeks of the closing date.
Our dedicated social work education team supports our social workers’ growth and development.
Salary: £42,752 - £48,871 (Grade 11-12). Please note that these salaries include a market supplement valid until June 2026; the basic salary can be viewed on our Salaries scales page.
We offer a diverse range of benefits, more information can be found on our benefits page.
For more information about current vacancies, contact Jo Kearney (Practice Manager – Fostering Service) at 01323 463121 or joanne.kearney@eastsussex.gov.uk.
About Us
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or an equivalent check for Regulated Activity. For details, visit https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Evidence of an overseas police check is required if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your salary will be pro-rated if part-time or during term-time.
If sponsorship is needed to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application for eligibility assessment. More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.
If you require reasonable adjustments due to disability, please contact the hiring manager using the contact details provided.
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