Social Worker - Fostering Support and Supervision Team

A social worker post in the Fostering Support Team at Cambridgeshire County Council, supporting foster carers and the children in their care. The work centres on supervising foster households, carrying out statutory assessments, reviews and visits, and working with birth families and multi-agency partners. The role includes taking part in the in-house fostering duty system and delivering carer training, with occasional evening sessions and travel across the county.

Social Work England registration is required and the post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

• Provide professional supervision, guidance and support to foster carers
• Build trusting relationships with foster families, children, birth families and partner agencies
• Carry out regular visits to fostering households and complete statutory assessments, reviews and monitoring
• Ensure children's views, wishes and feelings shape all planning and decision-making
• Work with colleagues and multi-agency professionals, including education, health and voluntary sector partners
• Respond to safeguarding concerns and promote safe, nurturing environments for children
• Complete clear, analytical and timely recording, reports and assessments
• Take part in the in-house fostering duty system and advise carers when needed
• Deliver training, workshops and support groups for foster carers
• Support fostering recruitment events, community engagement and carer retention initiatives
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the fostering service

• Qualified social worker

• Registered with Social Work England

• Experience of working with children and families
• Understanding of fostering practice

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to balance competing demands while maintaining high standards of practice
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

• Enhanced DBS check

• Able to travel independently across Cambridgeshire and work from varied locations
• Willing to support occasional evening sessions for foster carers
• Willing to attend recruitment events, fostering information evenings and community engagement

• Comprehensive wellbeing package, also accessible to family members
• 6 days of protected time each year for continuing professional development
• Relocation package of up to £8,000 (eligibility applies)
• Pay progression scheme to move through the pay grade as experience grows
• £350 introduction fee for referring a social worker who is subsequently hired
• Access to the Cambridgeshire Academy for Reaching Excellence (CARE) development programme
• Annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage