Supervising Social Worker with Independent Foster Agency (IFA)

Supervising Social Worker

Banya Family Placement Agency

RESPONSIBLE TO: Fostering Manager and Banya Directors

SALARY: £35,000 – £45,000 per annum, depending on experience

WORK LOCATION/S: Yorkshire

BENEFITS: Employer’s contribution to the pension

Key Responsibilities

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Supervise and support a group of Banya foster carers to maintain consistent service delivery. Ensure all relevant placement agreements between carers, Banya, and other agencies are completed. Review and monitor all relevant agreements to ensure they remain valid and meet renewal deadlines. Participate in the recruitment, assessment, and training of foster carers. Provide post-placement support to carers to ensure a high standard of care for children in placement. Attend Foster Panels to present Form Fs on behalf of Banya and attend other meetings as required. Provide out-of-hours support on a rota basis.

Primary Duties

Support and supervise a group of foster carers, including regular visits according to agency policy, addressing specific issues as they arise, and making telephone contact as required. Coordinate and facilitate carer support group activities. Conduct annual carer reviews, complete all report processes following required deadlines, and ensure all records, including case notes, agreements, and contracts, are accurate and current. Participate in the recruitment, selection, and training of foster carer applicants as required. Undertake Form F assessments of foster carer applicants and present them to Banya’s Fostering Panel, and to local authority panels if required. Determine accurate and current placement vacancies and notify client authorities to maximize appropriate placement opportunities. Accurate assessment and matching of children/young people and foster families. Accurate processing of placement agreements, reviews and care plans for children/young people, including effectively monitoring agreements to ensure standards are achieved and maintained. Attend child in-care reviews, case conferences and other meetings as required. Accurate and prompt recording and reporting of all matters relating to placement termination and/or disruptions and their implications. Be fully informed regarding agency child protection procedures, reporting immediately any child protection or childcare concerns, and preparing accurate and detailed reports as appropriate. Understand and communicate agency procedures for responding to complaints and allegations to ensure these matters are dealt with promptly, professionally, and according to procedures. Undertake appropriate post-complaint/allegation reviews and provide professional support to carers and their families. Contribute to aftercare and preparing young people for independence, as appropriate. Participate in Banya’s training activities for carers and in training for staff. Actively participate in the planning and developing of appropriate training programs to ensure continuous improvement goals are achieved. Design and maintain a range of detailed and accurate carer records and files, including progress tracking systems, visit reports, achievement and outcome reports, and other appropriate methods, to ensure service delivery is continuously refined and that all information can assist management with planning and operation outcomes. Design and maintain a range of detailed and accurate child placement records and files, including placement details, placing authority data, progress tracking systems, visit reports, achievement and outcome reports, and other appropriate methods, to ensure service delivery is continuously refined and that all information can assist management with planning and operation outcomes. Adhere to Banya’s confidentiality policy in all aspects of placement, care, and service delivery activities. Assess the accuracy of all financial claims and records submitted by carers and ensure they are submitted promptly for processing. Monitor payment/claim due dates to ensure carers receive accurate payments in agreed timeframes—report inaccuracies to individuals concerned to allow adjustments to be made as quickly as possible. Ensure that knowledge and understanding of Banya policies and procedures are current and applied at all times. Assist management in identifying methods to improve service delivery and provide up-to-date feedback to ensure Banya’s commitment to continuous improvement is achieved. Promoting equal opportunities and anti-discrimination through all aspects of the work. Undertake appropriate self-development strategies to ensure knowledge in this area remains current. Identify appropriate issues and bring them to the attention of the Directors, the Fostering manager, and the Panel to ensure prompt and effective resolution. Undertake appropriate self-development strategies to ensure knowledge and understanding of fostering legislation, standards, and initiatives are current and applied in all aspects of professional service delivery. Promote a flexible, responsive and high standard fostering service. Contribute to the maintenance of Banya’s information packages, guides and handbooks. Offer 24-hour support to carers in cooperation with other social work staff by participating in the ‘on-call’ rota for out-of-hours support as agreed with the Fostering Manager. Be a practice teacher/supervisor to students placed at Banya. Attend panels, committees and meetings as required. Undertake a range of additional tasks and responsibilities consistent with the role of a Supervising Social Worker, as directed by the Fostering Manager and/or management. Interact with all staff members cooperatively and contribute to actively advancing a team-based work environment.

Qualifications And Experience

Essential

Dip SW, BA, MA or equivalent qualification recognised by SWE. Experience in family placement and/or children and family work. Knowledge of the Fostering Service Regulations, Children Act 1989 and related legislation, standards and regulations.

Desirable

Sound knowledge of modern computer software packages, including proficiency using the MS Office suite of products. Previous experience as a workplace trainer and group session facilitator.

Skills

Able to deliver foster carer supervision, support and training. Able to evaluate foster carers and prepare sound written assessments and reports. Sound organisational and administrative skills and ability to work effectively with relevant professionals. Ability to work as part of a team and independently. Excellent written and oral communication and problem-solving skills. Able to work calmly in stressful situations and meet deadlines. Able to contribute to Banya’s development as a ‘Best Practice’ service provider. Able to work flexible hours. Able to undertake additional professional development training as required