Supervising Social Worker (Fostering)

Avanti Fostering, rated Good by Ofsted are recruiting for a Supervising Social Worker who must be a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England and must have experience of working in the fostering sector, with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience. (Must be UK based).

In role of the Supervising Social Worker, you will support Avanti Fostering in ensuring that the service is run in line with government legislation, regulations, and standards, together with the expectations of Inspecting Body.

But to also promote Avanti Fostering’s vision and values, whilst developing and providing a comprehensive and flexible social work quality service to carers, and young people within the service.

This role is flexible, working from home and office. (Hybrid working)

Requirements:

• To support with the recruitment, assessment, and monitoring of the suitability and competence of foster carers ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment for foster child.
• Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in Avanti Fostering’s policies and procedures.
• Support Foster carers where required, to complete the workbook within a specified timescale and sign relevant section.
• Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster carers in line with the agency’s standards and undertake such additional support visits/telephone contact with foster carers as required.
• Identify learning and development needs of foster carers and ensure all training as required by Avanti Fostering is completed.
• Complete Form F Assessments
• Undertake initial visits and carer assessments as part of your caseload as required by Avanti Fostering, see and speak to children young people in placement
• Attend meetings to support foster carers.
• Support foster carers in achieving and working within children’s care plans including moving on into independence.
• Assist in the delivery of training for foster carers including 'Skills to Foster.’
• Ensure that foster carers are aware of wider support systems available such as the Fostering Network.
• Out of Hours duty system on a rota basis.
• Ensure each child has an accurate and up to date care plan on file and that carers have a copy available for reference.
• Work in partnership with the relevant authority to ensure that the child and young person’s needs as identified in the care plan and placement agreement are met.
• Ensure each child has a placement agreement on file and that carers have a copy available for reference if appropriate.
• Ensure that comprehensive case recordings are completed and maintained within Avanti Fostering timeframes.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures and attend safeguarding training as offered by the organisation.
• Work closely with the Avanti Fostering team and Local Authorities to ensure that each child or young person placed is carefully matched with a Foster Carer capable of meeting their needs.
• Complete paperwork and procedures in relation to significant incidents and notifiable events within company timescales. Record appropriately in a timely and clear manner, on the Avanti Fostering system.
• Ensure the necessary risk assessments are completed in line with the Avanti Fostering’s policies and procedures.
• Attend social and consultation activities relating to the support of the foster children, and foster carers.
• Working in collaboration, with the Avanti Fostering Manager and colleagues, ensure that learning and professional development needs are met, whilst meeting all the Ofsted requirements.
• Ensure that all foster carers and adult household members have an up-to-date medical/health & safety home check.
• Undertake regular visits to foster children and young people placed in the care of Avanti Fostering. You will also need to have a strong understanding of the fostering service from a regulatory, commercial, operational, and practice-based perspective.
• Initiates and carries out local recruitment activities, analysing the effectiveness of methods used, in conjunction with the Placement Officer.
• To report on safeguarding issues in placements as well as notify the manager of any concerns regarding the care of foster children in placement.
• To plan in advance and prepare all paper work for annual foster carer reviews by carrying out all the necessary checks of the foster home in advance of a review.