Job responsibilities
Job context
Fostering Social Worker
Children and Families provide services which follow from
specific legislation, including the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004,
Fostering Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards as well as other
Government guidance and policy.
We are committed to providing good quality services to
support children young people, their families, and foster carers. Enhanced DBS
check required. This role involves spoken communications, so a confident use of
English language is required.
Enhanced DBS check required.
This role involves spoken communications, so a confident use
of English language is required.
Job Purpose
Hold and supervise a caseload of foster carers and
assessments as allocated by the Team Manager. The post holder will do this by
undertaking initial assessments, connected persons assessments, form
assessments, support, supervise, review, and monitor foster carers and
household ensuring they are compliant with the Fostering Regulations 2011 and
National Minimum Standards. They will actively recruit, and train foster carers
meet the needs of children requiring care.
Operational Management:
Manage and prioritise cases as allocated by the line manager
To supervise and support foster carers in line with
standards
To undertake duty requirements as part of a rota
To take fostering enquires from the public and assess
initial suitability to proceed
To participate in the recruitment process of foster carers
Family finding for children needing foster placements
To ensure statutory duties are maintained in line with
national minimum standards e.g., foster reviews, unannounced visits,
supervision, foster carer agreements etc
Undertake assessment on applications for fostering
Present information at foster panel
Ensure carers receive appropriate support during an
allegation against foster carers
Participate in the allocation of cases with and to accept
cases allocated by the Team Manager commensurate with your level of experience.
Liaise with other agency professionals as necessary to
fulfil the Directorates statutory duties and achieve best outcomes for
children.
Participate in supervision and appraisal of performance
Review and supervise fostering arrangements.
Maintain and update case notes and other records, write
reports as required; if required, give evidence in court in relation to care or
other proceedings.
Resource management:
Coach and mentor newly qualified staff joining the unit.
Support and co-work less experienced staff on case work.
To supervise and support foster carers in line with National
Minimum standards
To deliver pre-approval training, information events,
support groups required for the service
To develop foster carers skills and knowledge to enable them
to meet the needs of children through a personal development plan
To assist foster carers to complete CWDC training skills and
development (TSD)
Effective communication and engagement with children, young
people and their families and carers: Liaise with staff of the Directorate and
other agencies to effect decisions reached on services for children requiring
placements with foster carers, and to participate in all necessary placement or
review panels to ensure that service provision continues to be appropriate to
clients needs and wishes.
Promote children, young people and foster carers
participation in decision making.
Ensure all work with children and foster carers remains
focused and meets the need of children
Use high level communication skills such as listening,
building empathy, consultation, and negotiation
Undertake preventative work with foster carers in order to
reduce the need for placement moves in order to reduce the need for prolonged
care or accommodation:
Work with children and young people, families, carers, and
communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to
clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with children
and young people, their families, and carers: provide advice and support: help
resolve conflict, where appropriate.
Child and young person development:
Work with individuals or groups of foster carers in line
with the key task of developing individual potential independence and dignity.
Understand and support the role and value of foster carers
as partners in supporting children to achieve positive outcomes
Ensure all work interventions serve to improve the outcomes
for children
Make key decisions in terms of case management based on
observation and professional judgement: understanding their context in relation
to behaviour, listen actively and respond to concerns
Evaluate the situation and record in an appropriate manner
Supporting transitions:
To understand your own role and its limits, and the
importance of providing care or support
Identify transitions
Provide support and intervene
Support carers to understand a child or young persons
situation and needs through periods or experiences of transitions
Partnership/corporate working:
Take necessary statutory or other action in relation to the
liberty or safety of clients, including emergency situations, and liaison with
other agencies as necessary in such cases.
Plan and facilitate placements for children and young people
with foster carers
Liaise with colleagues in own and other departments and
external agencies in order to gather information relevant to assessment and
care planning activities: organise and chair case conferences as required.
Have a commitment to shared values and the common purpose of
developing a culture if interagency working, including statutory bodies, third
and private sector organisations
Ensure that strategic visions are translated into local
plans in collaboration with professionals, partners, and service users
Strategic management
To contribute to the planning and development of the
Directorates services in response to statutory developments and clients wishes
Assist in the preparation of fostering OFSTED inspection
Communications:
To ensure foster carers are clear about what is expected of
them; are kept informed about their performance and enabled to develop the
necessary skills and knowledge through supervision, review, and developmental
opportunities
Ensure foster carers are aware of their financial
responsibilities
Ensure foster carers hold appropriate record on the children
they care for
Comply with Data Protection Legislation and the Access
Request to Files Policy
Ability to demonstrate good recording skills with the
available technology in accordance with the relevant post description.
Systems and information:
Understand the importance of sharing information, how it can
help and the dangers of not doing so
Ensure adherence to policies and procedures around record
keeping and utilisation of computerised case management systems
Encourage children and young people to share information
Maintain files and appropriate and timely case recording in
line with Directorate procedures, including computerised systems
Adhere to professional and organisational procedures on
confidentiality and maintaining appropriate boundaries with service users and
their families.
Safeguarding:
Complete connective person assessments on families to
promote and safeguard children
Ensure assessment work is compliant with National Minimum
Standards
Provide support and advice to carers and encourage the
development and maintenance of appropriate support networks and services within
individual homes or in the community
Take necessary statutory or other action in relation to the
safety of children, including emergency situations, and liaison with other
agencies as necessary in such cases.
Be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of
children and young people that you are responsible for and come into contact
with.
Investigate complaints of alleged neglect, abuse, or
ill-treatment of children, in accordance with relevant legislative requirements
and child protection procedures; undertake assessments of risk and need; where
appropriate, arrange accommodation for children, young people.
To ensure foster carers provide a safe and caring
environment, complying with Health and Safety requirements and Safe caring
agreements
