Supervising Social Worker - Fostering
Salary: £37,280 - £41,771 depending on experience
Location: Yeovil, Taunton, Sedgemoor and Mendip
Description:
We are delighted to share an exciting opportunity for a Supervising Social Worker within the Homes and Horizons High Needs Fostering Service in Somerset.
Homes and Horizons is a truly innovative and ambitious 10-year partnership between Somerset Council, Homes2Inspire (part of the Shaw Trust), and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Together, we are transforming the way care is provided for some of our most vulnerable looked after children by co-designing a new and integrated model of support.
This pioneering service brings together a unique blend of provision, supporting more than 30 children and young people through:
1. 10 residential homes across Somerset
2. Specialist foster care for children with higher and more complex needs — with our carers living across Somerset and neighbouring/bordering counties to support children to live closer to their families, communities, and support networks
3. A dedicated therapeutic education service delivered across two sites
This role is based within our specialist fostering agency, recently rated ‘Good in all areas’ in our first Ofsted inspection, a testament to the passion, commitment, and quality of our team.
Why this role matters
As a Supervising Social Worker, you will play a vital role at the heart of this innovative model, supporting local foster carers to provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children with complex needs. A key aim of our service is to enable children to remain closer to family, friends, and their local communities, helping to maintain important relationships and promote stability and belonging.
This is more than a traditional fostering role, it is an opportunity to be part of a wraparound, trauma-informed approach that genuinely makes a difference to children’s lives.
About the role
In this role, you will:
4. Build strong, supportive relationships with foster carers through regular supervision and guidance
5. Enable carers to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed care
6. Contribute to the recruitment, assessment, and ongoing development of carers
7. Work collaboratively with children’s social workers and multi-agency partners
8. Ensure practice consistently meets fostering legislation and National Minimum Standards
9. Support the growth and development of the high need service
What we can offer you
Homes and Horizon High Needs fostering service is a countywide team. You will be able to choose a nominated work base office (Taunton, Yeovil, Shepton Mallet or Bridgwater) though will need to travel to other offices for team meetings and at other times.
10. 28 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holiday
11. Life assurance, extensive high street discounts and healthcare cash plan
12. The opportunity to contribute to the development of a new and unique service within Somerset
13. A comprehensive induction package to make you feel at home with our way of working and expectations
14. Consultation and development opportunities to enable you to work confidently to support carers, children and young people’s emotional and mental health.
15. An award-winning employee wellbeing support package from an employer with an over 80% employee engagement rating
16. Opportunities to shadow and spend time with colleagues from across the partnership organisations to understand each other’s roles and share your knowledge and skills.
17. Professional development training to progress internally into roles with Homes and Horizons, Somerset County Council or Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
What we’re looking for
18. We are looking for a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England who has experience of working within fostering or children’s services.
19. You will hold a full driving licence and have access to your own vehicle as travel is required.
20. An enhanced DBS will be required for the role (this will be funded by Homes and Horizons if required for the successful candidate)
This role will offer exposure to a distinctive, integrated model that combines fostering, residential care, and therapeutic education.
You will also be part of a supportive team and contribute to an out-of-hours support rota, ensuring continuity of care for our carers and children.
Closing date and interviews
Closing date: 29 May
Interviews: 5 June
Interested or want to know more?
We’d love to hear from you if you think this could be the role for you, so for an informal chat about our jobs in Homes and Horizons please contact Shannon George (Interim Talent Acquisition Manager) on 07749 584324 or
You can read more about the team on our fostering website:
fosteringinsomerset.org.uk
shawtrust.org.uk/high-need-fostering/
Candidate applications will be reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to interview candidates before the advertised closing date of this role.
Due to our partnership with Somerset County Council, please be aware that personal information given by applicants may be shared with Somerset County Council at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please Note all successful candidates will be subject to a vetting process, inclusive of a DBS check, Right to Work checks and references will be obtained.
Please note we are not currently able to support any visa sponsorship applications.