Job Title: Fostering Social Worker (Kinship to Permanence Fostering Team)
Location: The Shirehall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Council SY2 6ND
Rate: £30.57 per hour
Hybrid Working: Face-to-face visits with carers, virtual working permitted
NOTE: MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING FOSTERING OR KINSHIP TEAM
About the Role:
Shropshire Council is looking for a dedicated and passionate Fostering Social Worker to join our Kinship to Permanence Fostering Team. The role will primarily involve working with kinship foster carers, helping them provide a safe and nurturing environment for looked-after children. You will support these carers in securing permanence for children through Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs).
As part of our committed team, you will assess and support kinship foster carers, assist them through the approval process, and help them navigate the journey to Special Guardianship. The role also involves regular supervision, attending key meetings, and conducting a variety of assessments to ensure that children and young people in Shropshire receive the best possible care.
Key Responsibilities:
* Support & Supervision: Work directly with kinship foster carers, helping them create a safe, supportive environment for children, while guiding them towards Special Guardianship.
* Assessments: Conduct kinship fostering assessments (Form C/K), viability assessments, and Special Guardianship assessments, meeting required timeframes.
* Collaboration & Meetings: Attend and support foster carers in key meetings, including CLA reviews, care planning, PEP meetings, and transition meetings.
* Report Writing: Produce high-quality reports, assessments, and court statements to support the fostering process.
* Development & Training: Contribute to the ongoing training and development of foster carers, ensuring they receive the necessary support to succeed.
* Out-of-Hours Support: Support carer forums, training, and recruitment events, occasionally working outside normal office hours.
Qualifications & Skills:
* Social Work Qualification: Must be a qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England.
* Experience: Experience working in fostering, child protection, or with looked-after children is highly desirable.
* Approach: A trauma-informed, reflective, and restorative approach to practice is essential.
* Time Management: Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
* Enthusiastic & Flexible: A positive, flexible attitude with a commitment to supporting children and families.
* Travel: Willingness to travel for out-of-county visits, and occasional overnight stays if required.
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about supporting children, families, and foster carers, and meet the criteria for this role, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience