Bestinthenorthwest Fostering Social Worker 12-month maternity cover Salary (dependant on experience) full time (36 hours) Please note that we will not be accepting candidates who require a sponsorship. Now is a very exciting time to join the Fostering Service in Salford. We want children growing up in Salford to see and say that their city, community, and services are great, and this was recognised in our latest Ofsted report which rates our overall services as good, with outstanding elements. We are seeking to appoint a Supervising Social Worker within the Fostering Team for a 12-month period covering maternity leave. The role will require excellent assessment and analytical skills whilst representing the authority in undertaking timely assessments of applicant foster carers, supervision and ensuring carers are able to meet the National Minimum Standards. We are looking for Social Workers with experience of undertaking assessments within set times scales. Social workers with positive approaches, solution focused and able to display and promote positive practice whilst demonstrating enthusiasm and passion for protecting children and young people across the city. You will be supporting carers in their professional development and with the care of children who have enhanced care needs through therapeutic approaches. We offer a highly supportive and nurturing environment which enables individuals to grow as autonomous practitioners. We have adapted our working practice, by way of blended working and use of technology. Main Duties include: You will work directly with applicant foster carers using a range of knowledge, skills and interventions as required, in accordance with statutory responsibilities to secure positive outcomes for children. You will have a good understanding of Fostering National Minimum Standards and how potential Foster Carers can be supported to meet these standards. You will build effective relationships with applicant carers, their families enabling full participation in assessment, planning, review and decision making. You will effectively manage and build relationships and networks with other professionals, services and panels with appropriate supervision, guidance and support from an experienced supportive management team. You will work in accordance with national and local policies and procedures, and use the law, regulatory and statutory guidance to inform practice decisions. You will prepare and produce a variety of high quality professional written documentation to required quality standards on behalf of the City Council. You will work with partner agencies and represent the Council at a range of meetings, proceedings and reviews as required. You will secure access to services, negotiating and challenging other professionals and organisations to provide the help required. You will provide support based on best evidence, which is tailored to meet individual assessment need and addresses relevant and significant risks. You will be involved in recruitment and retention activities that take pace throughout the year. This role is crucial in supporting our journey to the implementation of the Family Partnership Model of practice, and Therapeutic Care Giving to continue to improve the outcomes for children and families in Salford. You will need to be passionate about working with children and young people, families and carers, have a practice base with strengths in relational and systemic practice and a passion for promoting the invaluable role of the foster carer. In addition, free parking is available for registered car s, access to co-wheels club cars and casual car user mileage payments are available for you to use for work purposes. For further information please contact kimberley.fletchersalford.gov.uk or Camilla.Normansalford.gov.uk Closing date is 9 th March 2025, short listing 10 th March. Interviews will take place Friday 21 st March in person at Swinton. Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants Our core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the council s primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice which can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/gdpr. Want to know more about Salford? As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this. Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you here Continuous Service commitment New employees can keep their service related benefits when moving between a whole host of public sector organisations within Greater Manchester, which include: Councils, NHS, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, Transport for Greater Manchester, as well as many others under this scheme. Find out if this applies to you here. Guaranteed Assessment Schemes We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel by way of a Guaranteed Assessment Scheme. Our application forms ask you to indicate if you meet any of the criteria within this scheme, and so to find out more and if you qualify please click here .