The Independent Social Worker (Form F Assessor) is responsible for:
1. Initial Assessment visit and completion of initial assessment (where requested)
2. Completion of all parts of a full British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) Form F Assessment on prospective foster carers.
Please note: The post holder is expected to have read the Local Authorities procedures in relation to Fostering Assessments and the BAAF Guidance prior to completing the Assessment.
Initial Assessment Visit
Where applicants have made an enquiry/or applied to foster, you may be asked to undertake an Initial Assessment visit to that applicant's home. This will include:
1. Undertaking a thorough initial interview with the applicant. If there are two applicants in one household, both should be included.
2. Completing the Initial Assessment pro-forma.
3. Ensuring that the room for fostering has been considered carefully, taking into account guidance provided by Children's Services.
4. Completing reports/documents and returning them to the Panel Administrator.
5. Completing any progress reports and returning them to the Panel Administrator.
Form F Assessment
Form F Assessment includes:
1. There should be no less than six home visits, with each visit expected to last no less than 2 hours.
2. Contacting the applicant within one week of allocation.
3. Setting up appointments with the applicant and ensuring visits are carried out on time.
4. Supporting the applicant to complete CRB forms at the first visit.
5. Meeting with prospective carers.
6. Seeing joint applicants separately on at least one occasion.
7. Seeing applicants' own children individually, depending on age, to evaluate their understanding of the need for self-protection.
8. Contacting adult children living away from home.
9. Contacting ex-partners of applicants regarding all significant relationships.
10. Interviewing any other adult member of the household or significant adult likely to be involved in caring for any children placed.
11. Contacting Children's Services Panel Administrator responsible for checks and advising on where CRB forms need to be sent.
12. If any offences are shown by the Police check, including the applicants' attitude to the offence and explanation in the Form F, with a separate Risk Assessment undertaken.
13. Respecting confidentiality.
14. Visiting at least three referees (to be decided in advance by Children's Services) and evaluating references for a full picture from the applicants' referees.
15. Providing a report for each referee visit (signed by the referee to confirm it is an accurate representation of their views).
16. Making arrangements to visit the applicants' Local Authority to read their file, if possible and applicable.
17. Advising the applicant about the process for medical checks and liaising with Children's Services administrative staff about responses received.
18. Ensuring arrangements for existing foster children are clear and requesting Children's Services Policy on what should happen where there is a child in Placement.
19. Discussing and evaluating full details of previous fostering experience in depth, including case studies of children.
20. Discussing and evaluating previous experience of children alongside understanding of the fostering task for applicants without previous fostering experience.
21. Providing a critical evaluation of strengths and weaknesses in terms of parenting capacity, with specific examples where possible.
22. Including discussions on attitudes to race, culture, gender, sexuality, and disability under family lifestyle.
23. Exploring the applicant's interest in long-term fostering in depth.
24. Making specific recommendations regarding children to be placed in terms of age and number, with reasons assessed in relation to previous fostering or related experience.
25. Evaluating applicants' understanding/attitude to contact with birth family.
26. Critically analyzing all information given, with the social work assessment serving as an in-depth summary of the assessment, providing clear reasons for recommendations made.
Education
1. CQSW, DipSW or BA in Social Work
2. Registration with Care Council for Wales / GSCC
Experience
1. Knowledge and experience of working with Looked After Children or within a fostering service.
2. Extensive experience of completing in-depth, evidence-based assessments.
3. Knowledge of child care legislation, particularly care planning and Child Protection.
4. Knowledge and experience of working with children/young people and in groups.
5. Knowledge of National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and Fostering Services Regulations.
6. Excellent communication and administrative skills.
Requirements
1. Enhanced CRB check
2. Driving licence
3. Insurance
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