Practice Supervisor - Focus Fostering

AtLincolnshire County Council, we are committed to delivering outstanding social care for children, young people, and families. Our ambition drives innovation, and we are proud to be recognised as an Ofsted-rated  2023, we were selected by the Department for Education as one of three national

Families First for Children Pathfinder Authorities, under the government’s strategy“Stable Homes, Built on Love”.

As part of our Children in Care Transformation Programme, we are launching a pioneering2-year pilotto recruit and support a cohort of highly skilled foster carers specialising in caring for teenagers. This initiative aims to ensure more Lincolnshire children can thrive in nurturing foster families when they cannot remain within their own family networks.

We are now seeking a passionate and experienced

Practice Supervisor to join our dedicated team and help shape the future of fostering in Lincolnshire.

As a practice supervisor within our Fostering Service, you will:

• Oversee the social workers’ assessment, support, and supervision of foster carers recruited to the pilot, with a particular focus on those caring for unrelated children who might otherwise enter residential care.
• Quality assure a range of social work assessments and written documentation, ensuring time frames and deadlines are prioritised.
• Demonstrate high-level understanding of safeguarding policy and procedures, ensuring that procedures are adhered to.
• Provide staff with reflective supervision and support the service with the development and implementation of the enhanced training pathway.
• Support and develop the recruitment strategy and attend recruitment events for prospective foster carers.
• Support and develop the strategy to retain foster carers.
• Develop, manage and supervise duty systems for staff and foster carers within the pilot scheme.
• Apply a strong working knowledge of The Fostering Services Regulations & National Minimum Standards (2011) and other relevant legislation.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of trauma, loss, separation, and child development, especially the impact of these upon teenagers.
• Work collaboratively across children’s services and with multi‑agency professionals, attending key meetings related to the care and wellbeing of children.
• Support practitioners to operate restatively within complex family situations, maintaining a child‑centred approach.
• Provide planned and flexible supervision for pilot team, which consists of 2x supervising social workers, 1x placement support worker and a training officer. You will also be providing service supervision to the clinical psychologist and child in care link worker, who will be managed by health services, but operational with the fostering service.

• A balanced workload and a supportive working environment.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working.
• Monthly supervision and access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• A collaborative team of 2 team managers, 7 practice supervisors and over 25 qualified social workers, alongside placement support workers, child and family officers, and apprentice social workers.
• A dedicated team manager to support you.
• Regular input from clinical psychology and multi‑agency partners.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking, innovative authority that is shaping the future of fostering. You’ll be supported to develop your leadership skills, build strong relationships, share best practice, and grow professionally in a role that truly makes a difference.

• Social Work England registered practitioner.
• Have experience supporting and/ or supervising children’s service staff.
• Significant social work experience and an in‑depth knowledge of relevant legislation.
• A firm belief in the importance of social work values and practice.
• An excellent communicator who builds strong working relationships with colleagues, families and external agencies.
• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent written and analytical skills.
• Understand and respond to people’s unique needs and aspirations.
• Have professional curiosity.
• Demonstrate good IT…