Job title: Senior Supervising Social Worker (Fostering)

Salary: PO3 £41,511 - £44,711

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Various

Service: Fostering

As a Fostering Senior Supervising Social Worker, you will thrive on working restoratively with children and fostering families by building strong relationships to inspire positive change and sustainable outcomes.

Our restorative practice model lies at the heart of our children’s social work team at Leeds City Council. We believe that relationships really matter in our role; working with and alongside people is the best way to make a positive difference for children and young people.

We have opportunities for Supervising Social Workers with at least a year’s post qualification experience. We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates. We are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance, if service needs can be fulfilled.

We provide comprehensive support and training packages for our Supervising Social Workers, with clear career progression opportunities. Our established in-house management team offers continuous support, guidance and reflective supervision allowing you to grow and develop through your career.

We’re proud to be part of Ofsted outstanding Leeds children’s services, working to improve outcomes for all children and young people, and close the gap facing those from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Supervising Social Worker you will hold an appropriate professional qualification (degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and must be registered with Social Work England on commencement in post.

You will also bring to the role:

• at least one year’s experience in a statutory setting and ability to assess social care needs and plan, implement and evaluate interventions
• up-to-date knowledge of trends, policies, regulation and safeguarding in social care and fostering
• consultative approach to engage children and fostering families, taking their views on board and advocating for them
• communication and collaboration skills for effective multi-agency working
• proactive use of supervision for critical reflection and to enhance practice and insight

About the role

You will be integral to our close-knit, supportive children’s social work team, which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart.

All our Supervising Social Workers manage a caseload with complexity appropriate to their level of experience. Our child-focused approach is underpinned by our culture of restorative practice.

You will engage proactively in the supervision and appraisal framework for critical reflection and exploration of your role. You will undertake the Practice Educator Level 1 qualification, developing your skills in mentoring and developing newly qualified colleagues and students.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits for Supervising Social Workers including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• essential car user allowance plus car loan scheme
• access to deals and discounts, including eligibility for a blue light card
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Jamie Robinson, Service Delivery Manager, 0113 378 4955 or Jamie.robinson@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:  

Under the general direction of an Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive fostering service to foster carers, their families and children placed with them, in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory regulations and national minimum standards.

The post holder must at all times carry out responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Health and Care Professions Council Code of Practice.

This is an experienced Social Worker role with specific responsibilities for managing a caseload of higher levels of complexity, which will include assessment and management of risk and to provide casework advice, support and guidance to other team members

Responsibilities: 

• To carry a complex caseload of foster carers who care for children and undertake assessments of these foster carers and their families using an evidenced based and child focused approach in accordance with agreed statutory and directorate procedures.  

• To provide advice and support on casework to less experienced team members

• On the basis of an analysis of their skills, devise and implement a service and supervision/support plan which correspond to the assessed needs of foster carers and their families in line with procedures.

• Responsible for analysing information and risks to support the ongoing needs of foster carers, their families and children placed with them.

• To monitor and review support and supervision plans relating to the assessed needs of foster carers and their families in accordance with directorate procedures

• To undertake annual reviews of foster carers as required.

• To provide specialist advice, support and training to social workers on issues relating to fostering
• To be involved in leading and delivering practice development days within the service as well as providing training for children’s social work teams and partner agencies on relevant topics relating to the Fostering Service.

• To work in partnership in a team parenting approach to help identify any needs within the foster family with other professionals to ensure the coordinated implementation of care plans for children placed with foster carers

• Working within safeguarding procedures, to work with foster carers and social workers in managing risks and providing safe care plans where children have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.

• To participate in the recruitment of potential carers and identify training needs of foster families and deliver training as required.

• To lead on recruitment events, activities and open days/evenings to promote the work of the service and to recruit potential carers.

• To organise and lead carer support group meetings and events for carers and children on a regular basis

• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence which can be used within the legal context.

•  Undertake direct work with children and young people as required

• To take part in a duty system on a rota basis

• Maintain and update case notes and other records and write reports as required.

• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.

• Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.

• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.

• Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures.
• Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation. Disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.

• Responsible for planning and negotiating a range of appropriate services and interventions that meet the needs of service users within delegated levels of responsibility.

• Assist in the planning and developing of future services and policies, promote innovative ways of developing practice and contribute to the development of the fostering service

• Identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures, seeking guidance if required.

• Under the direction of the Team Manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or actions plans to implement these to improve service delivery.

• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums and convene and chair multi agency meetings in line with procedures

• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.

• To work to and within the prescribed professional capabilities framework  

• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.

• To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.

• To supervise students and contribute to the preparation of practice learning settings for student placements, ensuring induction programmes are provided and continuously monitor learning setting and opportunities provided.

• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures

• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity

• To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate

Qualifications: Appropriate professional qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain registration.  Practice Educator 1

SPECIAL CONDITIONS This post is subject to a higher level check with the Criminal Records Bureau.  In discharging its function under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, the Directorate is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975 ) and any applicant is obliged to disclose ALL convictions and cautions, no matter how long ago they occurred and regardless of whether the offences were committed as an adult or a juvenile.

Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Skills required

• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with users  

• Ability to plan, prioritise and time manage a complex workload.

• A high level of effective written and verbal communication and the ability to pass information accurately and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers and colleagues

• Able to overcome resistance and to exercise assertiveness in appropriate situations when working with foster carers, their families and other professionals

• Ability to negotiate, challenge and manage conflict.

• To innovate and problem solve with the ability to identify appropriate social work interventions in order to promote positive change

• Ability to devise and implement service and supervision and support plans

• Ability to assess and analyse the skills of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach

• Ability to exercise individual judgement and consult where and when necessary

• Ability to be flexible, creative and use own initiative

• Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure

• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology
  
  
• Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.

• Ability to make proactive use of Supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability.

• Ability to chair multi agency and other meetings and represent the Council in a professional capacity

• Able to develop self and others including mentoring, supervision and development of student placements and other social work staff
  
  

• Able to lead and motivate staff

Knowledge required

• Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent)

• Registration with the Health and care Professions Council (HCPC)

• Practice Educator 2

• Knowledge of the range of theories and models for Social Work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities.

• Of relevant legislation in fostering and child care appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds

• Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on supervising and supporting foster carers and the children they care for eg drugs, alcohol, domestic violence

• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.

• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email,

• Of current, trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate.

• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.

• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.

• A good understanding of the challenges of working within a multi agency environment 

Experience required

• Experience of working with foster carers

• Experience of working in a multi agency setting

• Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems

• Of working within and implementing a person centred/child focused approach

• Experience of supervising, supporting, encouraging and advising qualified and non qualified staff

• Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning

• Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function
  
  
• Managing a high level, complex and diverse caseload within agreed parameters, policy and procedure

• At least 3 years post qualifying experience in child care social work including direct experience of working with children and families.

• Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required

• Committed to continuous improvement.

• Identify and take account of the significance of diversity on the lives of people and show application of this understanding in practice

• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies.

• Take responsibility for improving practice through professional development

• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills required

• Possession of a full current driving licence
• Preparation and delivery of training/ group work

Knowledge required

• Consolidation of learning for specialist practice

Experience required

• Of working with a wide range of Service user groups
• Of direct work with children and young people
• Of counselling