Fostering and Kinship Social Worker

Job Title: Children's Social Worker
Team: Fostering & Kinship
Two Vacancies Available
Salary: Up to £39,186 per annum based on 37 hours
Vacancies: 1x37 and 1x30 Hours per Week
Location: County Hall, Worcester
Permanent 

The Role
We are seeking an Experienced Social Worker to join the Fostering and Kinship Service.
Welcome to Worcestershire Children First and Worcestershire Children First Fostering (WCFF)! 
This is an exciting time to join WCFF, rated Good overall by Ofsted!

Our vision is for Worcestershire to be a wonderful place for all children and young people to grow up, and our mission is to support children and young people to be happy, healthy, and safe. We will do this by keeping children and young people at the heart of everything we do, supporting and empowering parents to care for their children well, valuing education as the best start in life for all children, and acting in a professional and timely way to protect children from harm.

Worcestershire Children First (WCF) is an independent not-for-profit company that is wholly owned by Worcestershire County Council (WCC). Worcestershire Children First Fostering Agency (WCFF) sits within the company as an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA).

WCFF offers placements for children who are looked after by WCF on behalf of the Local Authority, WCC. WCFF provides fostering placements including family and friends for looked after children and young people which safeguard and promote their welfare and enhance their life chances.

To be considered for this post, the following criteria is essential:
• A professional qualification in social work
• Current Social Work England registration
• Post qualifying experience in Children and Families work
• Proven experience of completing Social Work assessments, preferably experience of fostering and Connected Carers assessments.
•Good knowledge of the fostering regulations and minimum standards

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Fostering and Kinship Service to become part of a cohesive and supportive team. You will be assessing and supervising Foster Carers and undertaking Viability, Private Fostering and Special Guardianship Assessments for court submission.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Fostering Team Managers;
Caroline Sutch – 01905 845512
Geraldine O'Donnell – 01905 845925
Debbie Carroll – 01905 845331

We can offer you
You’ll find an overview of the benefits Worcestershire County Council have to offer on our webpage Why work for us? | Worcestershire County Council, so do take a look!  Some of these offers include: 

• Great Holiday Entitlement: As well as bank holidays, you'll get 26 days paid holiday (pro rata for part-time staff). This goes up to 31 days when you have been with us for 5 years. If you get more than 26 days where you work now, don't worry because if you join us without a break, we'll match your holiday up to 31 days. If you’re successful and want to take advantage of this do let us know!
• Social Work England professional registration fees reimbursed.
• Pension Scheme: The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a nationwide, career average pension scheme and is a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government.
• Professional Learning & Development: We actively encourage learning and development for all our staff should they want to progress further or explore other areas within the organisation. All our Social Workers have access to our Social Work Academy – ensuring they have the right training & CPD opportunities to do their best work and support them in their Social Work career.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Flexible Working: We are proud to offer hybrid working to provide a better work/life balance where possible.
• Supportive Managers: You will be supported by working with a stable permanent knowledgeable management group, receiving regular supervision and regular team meetings.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)
This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of criminal records via the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

This will include details of cautions, reprimands, or final warnings, as well as convictions. The County Council has a commitment to safeguarding service users in our care.

How to Apply
Application forms are invited to apply for this role. Please see attached.

Please find the Job Description and Person Specification attached. Please specify whether you are interested in applying for the 30 hour or 37 hour post in your application.

Please write your application with consideration for the essential and desirable criteria on the Person Specification. This should include examples of why you should be considered; and the experience, skills, and knowledge that you would bring to the post.

Please email your Application to Recruitment@worcestershire.gov.uk

Application Closing Date: Sunday, 29th September 2024
Anticipated Interview Date: Thursday, 10th October 2024