Social Worker – Fostering - Family and Friends Team
Location: Aylesbury
At Buckinghamshire Council we have an opportunity for a high‑calibre experienced Social Worker in our Family and Friends Team within our Fostering Service.
The role involves assessing and supporting people with a pre-existing relationship with the child for SGO, Family and Friends fostering and private fostering. We are looking for someone with strong writing skills who is analytical with a good understanding of the needs of family and friends carers and associated challenges.
Please note this a career graded role. If you are appointed to a Grade 7 position, in addition to the salary advertised you will receive a market premium of £2,750 per annum.
We also offer a Golden Hello payment after one years service, £1,000 for those appointed to Grade 6 and £2,125 for those appointed to Grade 7 (for external candidates only).
About the role
* To deliver targeted and specialist social work services in the area of Kinship Care that will benefit children and young people in need of support, protection, and care
* To clarify eligibility and undertake statutory social work assessments, in line with agreed local thresholds, to analyse children and young people’s needs, risks and circumstances and confirm existing parenting skills and any capacity to change, as necessary and appropriate
* To always promote the safety and well‑being of children and young people and champion their rights and entitlements to improve their life chances and overall outcomes
* The focus of this role will be on assessing and supporting prospective Family and Friends carers in line with Fostering Regulations and court proceedings.
* To hold a manageable caseload of SG and Reg24 assessments, providing carer support, working within statutory guidelines and fostering regulations, assist with duty with opportunities to deliver training, run support groups and be involved in the organisation of carer events.
* This is a relatively new service and your role would include supporting the development and growth of the service.
About you
* Have a social work qualification
* Have an active SWE registration
* Have completed their ASYE
* Have a working knowledge of legislation and guidance which applies to family and friends work
* Experience of working in look‑after children or with foster carers
* Knowledge of research, inquiries and recent studies affecting this sector of service and an ability to monitor its application in practice
* Someone with strong written communication skills
* Will care enough to go the extra mile
* Minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience.
* Experience and competence in working with the courts and providing written and verbal evidence.
Most importantly you will share our dedication and passion to improve the lives of children and young people.
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 19th April
Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
* All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
* All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).
We recognise and reward you
Social Workers are also entitled to a generous enhanced reward package, as follows:
* Competitive salary with a market increment
* A ‘Golden Hello’ lump sum payment upon successful completion of probation
* Annual leave up to 30 days per year, as well as other types of leave and the opportunity to buy further leave
* Up to 15 days per year training, learning and development offer
* Free parking across all of our office sites
If you are interested in relocating to Buckinghamshire and working with us, relocation packages are also available.
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