Description Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid £36,124 - £39,513 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus retention payment of £4000 and 3 extra days annual leave (pro rata for part time) 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available Fixed Term or Secondment up to 3/2/26 (secondment cover) This advert is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only Are you empowered by being able to see and feel positive change? We are looking for people like you, who share the same care, support, and dedication as we do to join us as a Social Worker in the Short Term and Therapeutic Fostering Team. Here in Suffolk, we are proud to have created an environment where social workers can achieve the outcomes, they came into the profession to do. We were recognised as one of leading social work authorities in the UK, whose children’s services are rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, "Services for children are of an exceptionally high standard. They are child-focused and make a positive difference to children's lives." (Ofsted, 2019). We have a well embedded practice framework to enable meaningful family focused help. ‘Signs of Safety’ enables us to do this respectfully and in collaboration with all the families, colleagues, and organisations we are working with. Your role and responsibilities working directly with foster carers providing statutory supervision and support to foster carers to ensure they are able to provide good quality care which can meet the needs of our children in care working within the fostering standard regulations and support foster carers to demonstrate that they can meet all national minimum standards facilitating support groups and learning opportunities for foster carers. Have the opportunity to contribute creative and innovative ideas to improve practice in a well established and supportive team working closely with the Therapeutic team to promote trauma informed care alongside our Therapeutic Social Workers and our Clinicians working in partnership with the Placements team to match and place children needing foster placements and ensuring maximum use of in-house foster care placements. Note: The post holder may need to provide occasional supervision visits to fostering households outside of usual office hours. You will need a relevant social work qualification and current Social Work England registration is essential. You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team we provide supervision to foster carers across the county as well as therapeutic support services to Suffolk foster carers working in partnership with Child In Care Social Workers in care planning for children to achieve permanence, whether this be reunification, fostering, special guardianship or adoption. Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report For more information Please contact Cathy Biedul for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265816 or emailing catherine.biedulsuffolk.gov.uk If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application. We will offer you a supportive and pioneering practice where you can make a real difference while enjoying the benefits of living in Suffolk the opportunity to grow professionally and further your career in social work through supportive career pathways if you wish to progress and develop in front line practice as well as specific interests. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. 1. Tell us about a time you worked effectively across different professional teams to support a child's care 2. Explain how you've taken initiative to continuously improve your professional skills and knowledge. 3. Describe how you've built and maintained relationships with foster carers or other care professionals. Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitmentsuffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date: 11.30pm, 2 February 2025. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. LI-Hybrid