2 x Social Worker, Fostering Team
| Posting date: | 07 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34,314 to £40,476 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Permanent - 27 days annual leave pro rata, increasing to 32 days annual leave pro rata after 5 years' service. - Flexible Worker |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 July 2025 |
| Location: | Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | North Somerset Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | SCHA0828 |
Summary
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join the Fostering Team within our Fostering and Kinship Service. As a Fostering Supervising Social Worker, you will be responsible for the supervision, support, and development of our foster carers. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Children’s Services to ensure placements are stable, safe, and responsive to the needs of children and young people.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing regular supervision and support to foster carers and kinship carers in line with statutory requirements
Undertaking fostering assessments (including Form F) and presenting to the fostering panel
Monitoring and reviewing placements to ensure high-quality care and safeguarding
Duty days; matching North Somerset foster carers to children who come into care or need short breaks in a planned or emergency basis
Delivering training and contributing to carer development programmes
Participating in recruitment campaigns and fostering events
Ensuring that carers are adhering to National Minimum Standards (fostering)
Completing any reports as necessary including annual reviews and standards of care reports
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
This position is currently based at the Town Hall office in Weston-Super-Mare.
Work Style
At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.
This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:
1- 2 days in the office
Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about fostering, has knowledge of kinship fostering, and who possesses the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria:
We would welcome applicants who meet the following criteria:
A Social Work Degree and are registered with Social Work England
Completed their Assessed and Supported Year of Employment
Have worked in a safeguarding setting
Experience of writing balanced reports
Confident in preparing and presenting reports
Excellent ICT, communication and organisational skills
Experience and some knowledge of the Fostering National Minimum Standards
Knowledge and ideally some experience of using strengths-based approaches, restorative practice and knowledge of the Mockingbird Model
Ability to recognise when support is needed and respond proportionally to crisis
Desirable Criteria:
Has worked in a Local Authority as a social worker
Experience of working with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Experience of attending and presenting at a fostering panel
Experience of assessment writingIf you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact the Fostering Team Manager Louisa Loveridge at louisa.loveridge@n-somerset.gov.uk.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing regular supervision and support to foster carers and kinship carers in line with statutory requirements
Undertaking fostering assessments (including Form F) and presenting to the fostering panel
Monitoring and reviewing placements to ensure high-quality care and safeguarding
Duty days; matching North Somerset foster carers to children who come into care or need short breaks in a planned or emergency basis
Delivering training and contributing to carer development programmes
Participating in recruitment campaigns and fostering events
Ensuring that carers are adhering to National Minimum Standards (fostering)
Completing any reports as necessary including annual reviews and standards of care reports
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
This position is currently based at the Town Hall office in Weston-Super-Mare.
Work Style
At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.
This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:
1- 2 days in the office
Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about fostering, has knowledge of kinship fostering, and who possesses the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria:
We would welcome applicants who meet the following criteria:
A Social Work Degree and are registered with Social Work England
Completed their Assessed and Supported Year of Employment
Have worked in a safeguarding setting
Experience of writing balanced reports
Confident in preparing and presenting reports
Excellent ICT, communication and organisational skills
Experience and some knowledge of the Fostering National Minimum Standards
Knowledge and ideally some experience of using strengths-based approaches, restorative practice and knowledge of the Mockingbird Model
Ability to recognise when support is needed and respond proportionally to crisis
Desirable Criteria:
Has worked in a Local Authority as a social worker
Experience of working with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Experience of attending and presenting at a fostering panel
Experience of assessment writingIf you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact the Fostering Team Manager Louisa Loveridge at louisa.loveridge@n-somerset.gov.uk.
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About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.