About Us
Set up in by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of over years' of fostering experience and we're still going strong!
The founder members recognised that looked after children – especially those who’d had very difficult starts in life – needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that's what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.
Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what’s known as a ‘therapeutic approach’ to fostering and it’s something that we pioneered.
Requirements
ISP Midlands is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Social Worker or who is enthusiastic, committed and has an appreciation of the role of the foster parent and their skills. We ask our Social Workers to take a collaborative approach with foster parents in order to promote meaningful and relevant supervision of placements. Experience of working with foster parents as professional colleagues and working within a multi-discipline arena is essential, as is holding a full driving licence and having unrestricted access to your own car.
This is a demanding position which includes both a quality assurance role to maintain high standards and a training role to prospective and current foster parents. You will be an excellent report writer and able to work to strict deadlines.
1. Hold a Social Care England recognised qualification in Social Work or equivalent
2. Previous experience of children and families social work
3. Previous experience or a want to work in a therapeutic model of child care
4. Previous experience of working as a Supervising Social Worker is advantageous
5. The ability to provide a high standard of report writing
6. A comprehensive working knowledge of all relevant legislation pertaining to children’s services as well as publications
7. Full driving licence with unrestricted access to your own car
Responsibilities
8. Direct support of foster parents within a realistic caseload which enables a high level of supervision
9. Provide regular supervision to allocated foster parents, enabling and monitoring their practice and ensuring their compliance with regulatory standards
10. To work in partnership with children, young people and foster parents and other professionals, local authorities and stakeholders, enabling full participation in assessment, planning, review and decision making relating to safeguarding and child protection
For an informal conversation about this position please contact Hayley Haughton on
To be considered for this post please hit apply.