Fostering Social Worker/Advanced Social Worker (Share the Care)

Contract type: Part Time

Location: Badminton Road

Salary: £28,221 - £34,106 (Upper appointment subject top Advanced Level application and appointment) pro rata to hours employed.

Apply by: See advert
Employment Term:
Part Time, Permanent
Hours per week: 22.2
Job Category: Social Work
Vacancy ID: 103913
Post Number: CYP6127/903/CORP/JS

Supporting documents

Further information

As a social worker in the Fostering team, you will undertake the full range of fostering work but will specialise in working with Share the Care foster carers, those that offer short breaks to disabled children. The social work post includes, preparing and assessing prospective foster carers, providing on going supervision and support to carers and undertaking duty to identify the best possible match for children and young people requiring foster placements. A good net-worker, with the ability to motivate and develop people. Required strengths; you will have good communication skills and be able to produce evidence-based reports with clear analysis to high standards. 


South Gloucestershire Council is committed to treating everyone fairly, to challenging inequalities and to promoting equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce. 

Social workers must be able to drive and have access to a car. 

In return South Gloucestershire Council will offer regular reflective supervision, training and professional development opportunities including our career advancement initiative for Social Workers wishing to attain Advanced Social Worker status, flexible working arrangements including work from home and an excellent benefits package as part of the Avon Pension Fund and our employee benefits tool - My Lifestyle, offering great savings on every day purchases. 

Please note, a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in a statutory social work setting is required. We are unable to consider applications from ASYE's at this time.

Social Workers are usually initially appointed to the salary range: £28,221 - £30,756 however, if you already meet the Advanced Social Worker criteria we can appoint to the salary range: £31,401 - £34,106. In order to be considered for an Advanced post, please complete the attached Linked Scale Supplementary Application form and return this to  HRservicecentre@southglos.gov.uk   with the subject Supplementary Application followed by the post number on the advert. 

Learn more about Integrated Children's Services, our location, our staff benefits and hear from our valued team of Social Workers at  www.socialworksouthglos.co.uk  

Main Duties 

To carry out the duties and responsibilities under the Children’s Act 1989, Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 (amended), Fostering National Minimum Standards 2011, Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and other legislation as prescribed by a Team Manager

To manage a controlled caseload

To be responsible under supervision for action in situations where personal liberty or safety is at state

When prescribed by a Team Manager, may be expected to concentrate on specific areas of work and to work within specialised areas of client groups according to organisational needs

To take responsibility for the continuing professional development of self and contribute towards the professional development of others

May under supervision be expected to focus on specific areas of work on a short and longer-term basis

To participate with the Department’s staff development programmes and the promotion of specialist skills

To contribute to the development of services, policies, practices which optimise life chances for children and young people through the medium of involvement in teams and working with colleagues in other Departments or agencies


Selection Criteria 

To enable us to shortlist in a fair and unbiased way it is absolutely vital that you provide us with sufficient information to demonstrate how you meet or exceed the criteria outlined in the vacancy description. Please include this information in the knowledge, skills and experience section of the application form.

Pre-Screening Questions:
• Do you have a full driving license and access to a vehicle, insured for business use?
• Do you hold a professional qualification in social work or equivalent (eg DipSW, CQSW, CSS or NVQ 4)?
• Are you registered with HCPC?
Essential 
• Knowledge and understanding of statutory social work with children, young persons and families – including foster carers.

• Excellent assessment and analytical skills; and the ability to receive, interpret, record and disseminate information.

• You will demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, processes and procedures.

• Experience and skills in working with children, young persons and families – including foster carers, in a statutory social work setting.

• Good communication skills, verbal and written, particularly report writing; and the use of relevant IT systems.

• Exemplify the Council’s values and behaviours.

Desirable 
• Experience and skills in working with children and young people with complex needs and / or disabilities would be advantageous.
• An understanding of the principals and application of the use of Signs of Safety / success with looked after children and care leavers.
If applying for Advanced Social Worker only: 
You will have a proven ability to supervise and allocate work to others, monitoring their performance and taking corrective action.

Additional Information

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Michele Llewellyn, Team Manager - Fostering on 01454 86 6190.

Please note that it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post. This means that you must declare any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings unless these are ‘protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013). 

The post holder will be required to maintain HCPC Registration.

The nature of the duties of this post will require you to travel on Council business on a regular basis, so you must either have a current driving licence and provide a car, or have access to appropriate means of travel. 

If you use your vehicle on authorised Council business, you will receive a mileage payment based on the Inland Revenue Authorised Mileage Allowance Payment Scheme (AMAPS). The allowance is provided on the condition that your own insurance covers you for business use and indemnifies the Council against claim (including those concerning passengers) arising out of the use of the vehicle on official business. You will also be eligible for a car loan if you meet the criteria within the Council’s Car Loan Scheme. 

The post holder will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.

The nature of the post will require some out of office hours work to be undertaken for which time-off-in-lieu will be given.


Safer Recruitment

South Gloucestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Our Values 

As an employee of South Gloucestershire Council you will be expected to have a ‘can-do’ attitude and adapt to the fast pace of change. You will strive to work well with others to reach a common goal and embrace a partnership and inclusive approach to delivering efficient and effective services. You will use your initiative to deliver and take responsibility for your performance to help the team, department and council to achieve its goals and make the best use of available knowledge, expertise and capacity in order to continuously improve the quality of services.