Description | Salary £33,945 - £38,223 Per Annum | Fixed Term, Full Time 37 Hours Per Week | Lancashire | Pay Award Pending International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship Social Worker, Fostering Service Preston Salary £33,945 to £38,223 (Grade 8) Due to exciting changes within the Fostering Service, we are currently recruiting… Confident and compassionate Social Workers who are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and our fostering families. If that's you, we invite you to join our team We are looking for social workers who genuinely commit to our ethos, culture, and values and who embrace diversity, equality, inclusion and who celebrate every individual's unique strengths and perspectives. We have various full-time, temporary roles based in Lancashire, assessing our fostering applicants, and providing support to our foster families. Roles available: Kinship Assessment, Preston - 2 x Social Workers (grade 8), Full Time 37 Hours Per Week - Fixed term from 01/11/24 for 9 months (maternity cover) Mainstream Support East, Accrington - 1 x Social Worker (grade 8), Full Time 37 Hours Per Week - Fixed term from 4/11/24 for 12 months (maternity cover) Who we are looking for… Empathy & Resilience – you'll be assessing and supporting new fostering applicants and our amazing fostering families who make a difference to our cared-for children. Therefore, we will be working on a daily basis using trauma-informed approaches, your compassion, empathy and understanding to help achieve positive outcomes for our children. We understand that social work is a challenging role, but rest assured, your well-being is equally significant to us. We are committed to providing ongoing support and prioritising your well-being effectively. Critical Thinking – You will be required to complete assessments, re-assessments, and annual reviews, safeguard children and, at times, support foster carers through allegations. You will work collaboratively with our foster carers, children's social workers and our partner agencies. You will use critical thinking to analyse and record information in assessments and to provide support to our foster families. Within our service, we encourage and promote peer support mentoring and provide a high level of manager support to maximise your ability to critically reflect on your experiences and enable your development. If you are flexible, adaptable, empathetic, have great organisational skills, and can be resilient in the face of challenges, we would love to hear from you. Why join us… We are an established fostering service and you will be supported by a Team Manager and Senior Practitioners with the Fostering Service. In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website. If you have these qualities and are ready to join a dynamic, dedicated and supportive team, we encourage your application. For an informal confidential discussion please contact Ann-Louise Clarkson, ann-louise.clarksonlancashire.gov.uk or Hannah Longden hannah.longdonlancashire.gov.uk Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence. Social Work applicants must be registered with Social Work England (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with SWE. For this role you are unable to commence post without Registration. The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab. You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and you must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability We reserve the right to close a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications. Job Description & Person Specification