Job Description

At Fusion Fostering, our focus is to achieve positive experiences for the children and young people looked after by our dedicated foster carers. We have built strong relationships with Local Authorities across the UK to provide a range of exceptional children's services delivered by a team of motivated, highly competent practitioners. We consistently drive positive outcomes for young people and this child-focused approach, combined with our commitment to continuous learning and improvement, has contributed to our reputation for service excellence, and recent growth of the organisation.

We are currently seeking a

Supervising Social Worker

to join the team at Fusion. Due to the needs of the business the ideal location of the applicant would be in or around the

Exeter/ Devon area

. and will be expected to attend the regional office based in

Taunton

twice per month. The key responsibility of the role is to support in the development of the service including the recruitment, development and retention of foster carers in a specified geographical area; and to ensure a high-quality service is consistently delivered to children, foster carers and local authorities.

Key Responsibilities

To work in close liaison with the Regional/Deputy Regional Manager to develop the fostering service in a specified regional area. To adhere to relevant legislation. regulation and company policies and procedures to work consistently with Fusions core values and deliver best practice standards of work. To maintain a child-centred approach, fundamental to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child. To keep the child in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them and their families. To facilitate and participate in successful, activities that enable the agency to recruit Foster Carers who align with our core values. This may include open days/evenings and events to promote the work of the agency and to attract potential carers. To identify and facilitate the training needs of potential foster families and deliver training in line with the Training Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers so that each carer accepts, understands, and operates within all policy and guidance agreed by Fusion Fostering Limited. To undertake and oversee comprehensive assessments of potential foster carers in line with relevant regulatory requirements and timescales, presenting a coherent and analytical report to the Agency Panel. To prepare high quality expressions of interest which have been completed following an analytical matching assessment. The assessment will be based on the agency's comprehensive understanding of the foster family including their previous experience, evidenced skills, knowledge, and support needs. Fusion will only offer placements based on sound judgements as to the placement's ability to meet the needs of the child who requires a placement. To take a lead responsibility for a small 'case load' of families as defined by the Registered Manager. Undertaking a high standard of regular, ongoing support and supervision including of Foster Carer and children's files for compliance with NMS and Fusion Fostering's policies and procedures placement, plans/care plans, health and education plans, permanence plans and where appropriate pathway plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans. To arrange extra support needed for foster carers or the fostering household including visits, telephone contact, support workers, respite, activities, and other resources. To work with colleagues within Fusion to promote the retention of foster carers, by ensuring that there are effective partnership relationships between the agency and the carers. To ensure that carers issues are identified, understood, and promptly resolved. To take responsibility for own professional development, maintaining essential qualifications, regularly updating knowledge, and undertaking all training opportunities provided by Fusion Fostering Limited. All staff are responsible for the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy as far as it affects them, colleagues and others who may be affected by their work. The post holder is also expected to monitor the effectiveness of the Health and Safety arrangements and systems to ensure appropriate improvements are made where necessary. Since confidential information is involved with the duties of this post the post holder will be required to always exercise discretion and to observe relevant codes of practice and legislation in relation to data protection and personal information.

Skills/Qualifications/Experience

A three-year undergraduate degree or a two-year postgraduate degree in social work and SWE registration. A knowledge of current legislation particularly The Children Act 1989, National Minimum Standards in Fostering, The Fostering Regulations 2011, The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. Extensive knowledge of safeguarding and protecting children from harm. To have flexibility in working outside of office hours. This may be to offer support to Foster Carers or a Child or Young Person, to meet with potential Foster Carers or existing Foster Carers to assess, provide training or support, to facilitate a child/young person's arrival with a family, to participate in the out of hours telephone support rota, or to attend an out-of- hours emergency. To hold a full UK driving license and have access to a car that is fully insured, with business usage, and has a valid MOT. Excellent interpersonal and listening skills. The ability to communicate well and clearly both verbally and in writing. The ability to process and analyse large amounts of complex and sometimes distressing information. The ability to identify key issues and possible solutions and to communicate these clearly. A commitment to keeping children within their own family or community where this is possible and to maintaining contract between children living in foster families and their birth families where this appears to be in the child's best interest. A commitment to fostering as a way of meeting a child's needs where this appears to be in the child's best interests. A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare in foster care. A valuing of diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexuality. An understanding of, and commitment to the need for confidentiality. A willingness to increase knowledge and understanding of issues through reading, discussion and training.

Please note that duties in this job description is not exhaustive and could be subject to change subject to the needs of the business - This is a hybrid role.

We encourage a diverse workforce which reflects the communities we serve. To achieve this, we aim to respect personal differences and promote fairness and dignity for all. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer.

We follow a robust Safer Recruitment process. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory criminal record check with Barred List check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

If you are interested in taking on a new challenge and have the skills to strengthen our team further, then we want to hear from you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Health & wellbeing programme Referral programme Work from home
Application question(s):

Are you based in/around the Exeter or Devon area? Are you happy to work in a Hybrid role?
Experience:

Post Qualification: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: Remote