Senior / Supervising Social Worker

Join Our Team as a Senior / Supervising Social Worker!

Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people? At Foster Care Associates (FCA), we’re on a mission to transform lives across Cornwall and Plymouth, and we need passionate individuals like you to join our friendly and supportive team!

About Us

Founded in 1994 by a former Foster Parent and social worker, FCA is one of the UK's leading independent fostering agencies, proudly part of the Polaris Community. With an Outstanding Ofsted rating and a strong commitment to excellence, we strive to create a nurturing environment for both children and Foster Parents.

Our purpose is simple yet powerful: to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families, and communities. We believe in supporting every child and Foster Parent, every minute of the day, and we’re excited to welcome you into our family!

About the Role

As a Senior / Supervising Social Worker, you will play a crucial role in empowering Foster Parents and supporting young people in the Cornwall and Plymouth area. Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Support Foster Parents and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children in foster care.
• Monitor the suitability and competence of Foster Parents, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
• Provide regular supervision to allocated Foster Parents in line with FCA's Operational Standards.
• Work collaboratively with the child’s network to identify needs and provide necessary support.
• Ensure compliance with all key documentation for children and Foster Parents.
• Attend meetings and provide reports for commissioning teams regarding individual care packages.
• Promote the participation of children and young people in agency development and community resources.
• Participate in an out-of-hours support service on a rota basis.
• Conduct occasional initial home visits and Form F assessments.

What We’re Looking For

To thrive in this role, you should have:

• A social work qualification and professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality reports.
• A comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures.
• A willingness to travel across the South West region, including Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, Torbay, and Plymouth.
• Confidence in transporting children and young people in challenging situations.
• A full UK driving licence.

Working Conditions

This is a 22.5 hours per week position on a 12-month fixed-term contract, based in Ivybridge. You will be part of a dedicated team covering the South West area, with a focus on Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.

Why Join Us?

At FCA, we value our team members and offer a range of fantastic benefits, including:

• Up to £40,081.10 per annum FTE, depending on experience.
• A generous £2,000 car allowance.
• 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service.
• Bank holidays off.
• Life assurance and an Employee Discount Scheme.
• Medical Cash Plan.

All benefits will be pro-rated, ensuring you receive the support you deserve.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re passionate about improving the lives of children and young people and want to be part of an Outstanding fostering agency where you’ll be valued and encouraged to grow, we’d love to hear from you!

Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.