Childrens Services Practice Supervisor - Fostering

Childrens Services Practice Supervisor - Fostering

As a Practice Supervisor and Manager in our Fostering service you’ll manage, guide, and supervise a team of social workers, providing supervision, support, and advice to Lincolnshire County Council Foster Carers. Based centrally in our Lincoln office you will support and supervise staff across the whole county as such some travel will be required. 

About the role

Practice supervisors within the fostering service take lead roles in areas of service delivery including recruitment, retention, kinship, duty, permanence, and placement support and stability. You will be given one or more lead areas in line with service needs. These are not static, as such there is an expectation that you will understand all aspects of service delivery.

We are seeking someone who has a sound knowledge of the recruitment and retention of foster carers and the support needs of children and their carers. Although not essential, the ideal candidate will hold additional therapeutic qualifications in an area such as Systemic Therapy, Dyadic Development Psychotherapy or Theraplay.

Whilst this role will be primarily focused on mainstream fostering services it will also include taking an interest in the family, friends and connected person's agenda alongside our broader agenda for maximising support for all fostering families within the county. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across a range of services and agencies to meet the collective needs of children. Promoting positive outcomes for children is at the core of the role.

This is an exciting opportunity to have real input in to the efficient and effective delivery of social care in an Outstanding local authority who has recently been selected by the Department of Education to be one of three national Families First for Children Pathfinder Authorities. The pathfinder was announced in July 2023 as part of the government’s children’s social care implementation strategy, ‘Stable Homes built on love’ and responds to recommendations from the independent review of children’s social care and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel report on child protection.  This brings an exciting opportunity for Lincolnshire who are recognised within the sector as an innovative and transformational authority.

We’re looking for:

• A SWE registered social worker with extensive experience of children’s social work.
• Practice Educator Stage 1 and 2
• Significant experience supporting, guiding and mentoring others.
• Knowledge of relevant childcare and fostering legislation
• Budget management skills and experience managing projects.

• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure.

About Our Offer

We know that being a Social Worker can be challenging and often emotional but, we also know from experience that it’s a very rewarding career.  This is why you will be surrounded by a supportive, caring, and compassionate team.

You will receive monthly supervision, take part in monthly practice learning sessions and team meetings. There is also an annual team development day. Our managers are always on hand and our practitioners say that the informal, ad hoc supervision they receive, plus the support they get from colleagues to test out their thinking, is invaluable.

Your continued professional development will be as important to us as it is to you, and your learning and development will remain in focus, not just during your annual appraisal. 

Along with a competitive salary we also offer;

• A Contributory pension.
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work.
• Flexible working policies.
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more.

• Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure

Take your next step with us today and use your skills where they matter most.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Emily McAllister emily.mcallister@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Closing date: 13/03/2024

Interviews 22/03/2024

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council 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.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.