Job Description 2025
Independent Assessing Social Worker – Fostering
Responsible to: Directors/ Registered Manager / Practice Manager
Job Summary: To assist Affinity Fostering Services in their aim and duty to safeguard children at all times by assessing applicants to become Foster Carers who will provide nurturing, safe, stable home environments to vulnerable children and people and therefore meeting Affinity Fostering's ethos of "Enhancing and Empowering Young People's Lives".
To undertake Fostering Household Reviews as per statutory and agency requirements.
Position Duration: Independently contracted
DBS Requirement: Enhanced Level
Professional Body Registration: Social Work England
Location: Field Based
Company Statements:
PRIMARY FOCUS: To Safeguard and Protect Children's Welfare
Safeguarding: Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and OFSTED requirements.
Equality & Diversity: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any protected criteria.
General Purpose
Fostering Assessments:
1. To assess potential Foster Carers in accordance with NMS 2011 Standard 13
2. To present the completed Form F Assessment of each fostering household undertaken to Affinity Fostering's Independent Fostering Panel with the aim of securing the recommendation for approval as Foster Carers for Affinity Fostering Services Ltd.
3. To provide support to any prospective Foster Carer(s) at Panel presentation.
Approved Foster Carers:
1. To undertake *face to face fostering household review meetings as allocated and within legislative requirements.
*Within exceptional circumstances this meeting may take place virtually if Affinity Fostering is in agreement.
Principle Accountabilities
Fostering Assessments:
· To assess the suitability of potential applicants (including their birth children and wider household if applicable) within all Government legislation pertaining to the placement and safeguarding of young people within foster homes.
· To undertake no less than 6 face to face visits to assess potential Foster Carers and their wider fostering household.
· To undertake or verify all family and personal references, including any significant others (for example ex-partners) where applicable or appropriate to do so as part of the assessment process.
· To undertake the writing of the CoramBAAF Form F and all associated documents within Affinity Fostering Limited's own format and guidelines and present the aforementioned to Affinity's Independent Foster Panel.
· To attend regular meetings with the allocated Affinity Line Manager to discuss the progression of any assessments in progress.
Fostering Household Reviews:
· To liaise with the allocated Business Support Officer to plan and agree any reviews to be undertaken.
· To read all paperwork submitted as part of the fostering household's review for the current period being considered in advance of the schedule Review meeting.
· To Chair the review meeting within the Foster Carer(s)' own home as scheduled, to be attended by both Foster Carers and their Supervising Social Worker.
· To analyze the information provided, and from the discussions that take place during the Review meeting to consider the fostering household's continued approval within legislative and Agency requirements.
· To provide a detailed report as per Agency requirements and within given timescales.
Other:
· To attend regular ISW/ Affinity Fostering Consultation workshops to ensure consistency and continued development of practice.
· To act at all times in accordance with all Regulations and Guidelines as laid down by all relevant Government Legislation and Affinity's Policies and Procedures.
· To operate within and ensure the promotion of the Affinity Fostering's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy in relation to staff, Foster Carers and young people.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
Method of Assessment
CQSW or DipSW -Essential
Certificates
Evidence of commitment to continued professional development -Essential
Application Form/Certificates
Registration of Social Work England- Essential
Application/Certificates
PQCCA - Desirable
Application Form/Certificates
Experience/Knowledge
A minimum of two years post qualifying experience within a Social Work environment
-Essential
Application Form/Interview
A minimum of one year's knowledge and experience of working with fostering regulations and standards - Essential
Application Form/Interview
Experience of working within fostering team-Preferred
Application Form/Interview
Skills/Abilities
Flexibility and personal commitment to high professional standards -Essential
Application Form/Interview
Ability to work alone and use own initiative. - Essential
Application Form/Interview
To be able to work effectively as part of a team -Essential
Application Form/Interview
IT literate with good keyboard skills - Essential
Application Form/Interview/Certificates
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing at all levels - Essential
Application Form/Interview
Ability to produce work to deadlines and work under pressure and make efficient and accurate decisions on complex childcare issues. - Essential
Application Form/Interview
Confidence and ability to drive long distances - Essential
Interview
High level of personal integrity and commitment to confidentiality -Essential
Application Form/Interview
Ability to organise and prioritise own work and balance varying priorities - Essential
Application Form/Interview
Interest in promoting the service provided by Affinity Fostering Services Ltd. - Essential
Application Form/Interview
Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise effectively. - Essential
Application Form/Interview
Enthusiastic and energetic - Essential
Interview
Additional Factors
Full current driving licence -Essential
Application Form/ Interview
Enhanced DBS disclosure - Essential
Application Form/ Interview
Satisfactory references -Essential
Application Form/ Interview
Affinity Fostering Services Limited is determined at all times during its recruitment and on-going retention of personnel to 'Keeping children and young people safe' in line with a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in both the service it provides and the employment of all its staff and those who undertake work on behalf of the Agency and expects all employees to promote this policy in their work.
Job Type: Freelance
Licence/Certification:
* Social Work England Registration (required)
Willingness to travel:
* 100% (required)
Work Location: In person