Job Description

We are seeking passionate and committed

Fostering Social Workers

to join Dorset Council's fostering service. In this role, you will provide vital support to foster carers, helping them achieve positive outcomes for the children and young people in their care. We currently have

two vacancies

within our pre-approval team:

Full-time position (37 hours per week) - 32,061 - 45,091

Part-time position (22 hours per week) - 19,063 - 26,810

Alongside supporting prospective foster carers through the assessment process, you will also work with mainstream foster carers and kinship carers, ensuring they are well supervised, guided, and equipped to provide safe and nurturing homes.



You will receive regular supervision, access to high-quality training, and ongoing professional development opportunities. This includes support from advanced practitioners, induction programmes, and Dorset's Social Work Academy. Our service is committed to a therapeutic approach and is implementing the

Mockingbird Family Model

, giving you the opportunity to work closely with carers within constellations.



By joining us, you will play a key role in ensuring that children cared for by Dorset Council remain close to their families and communities and receive excellent care from well-supported foster carers.



As a Fostering Social Worker, you will:


Manage a caseload of foster carers across Dorset, providing supervision and support. Undertake fostering reviews and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and National Minimum Standards. Contribute to quality assurance and our safeguarding processes. Offer guidance to our foster carers, promoting best practice and a therapeutic approach. Work flexibly, including hybrid work (working from home and in the office).

We are looking for a dedicated and dependable professional who:


Is a

qualified social worker

, registered with

Social Work England

(minimum three years post-qualification experience desirable). Holds a

clear enhanced DBS check

. Has a

full, clean driving licence

and the ability to travel across Dorset. Demonstrates strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and produce detailed written reports. Has experience working with foster carers in a statutory social care setting and a sound understanding of child care legislation and safeguarding practice. Can create an environment where social work practice can flourish and where carers feel supported and valued.


For additional information, please contact Cristina Matei on 01305208020 or via email at cristina.matei@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

You must:
have a degree in social work/Occupational Therapy or equivalent be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post
See the children's social worker framework.

All social workers who qualified after September 2012 need to:
undertake the assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) meet the expected standards during the ASYE period
The ASYE scheme is required unless you can prove that you meet the standards laid out in the professional capabilities' framework.