JOB DESCRIPTION Post: Line Manager: Hours: Fostering Social Worker Managing Director 35 hours per week Contract: Fixed-term contract until 28 th February 2020 Location: Salary: Annual Leave: Dorchester with travel throughout Dorset 32,000 per annum 25 days + 8 bank holiday days paid holiday PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION Whitehead-Ross Education and Consulting has been commissioned by Dorset County Council to deliver a Fostering Recruitment Service. The goal is to meet and surpass Dorset Council Council s expectations to drive rapid and sustainable recruitment of 70 foster carers over 2 years. We are looking for a self-starter and trustworthy Fostering Social Worker to undertake robust assessments, promoting and raising the profile of foster carers as a professional vocation. The Fostering Social Worker will undertake initial home visits and carer evaluations, working closely with the Fostering Engagement Officer, and follow Dorset County Council s Fostering Recruitment Two Stage Process. The initial visits (Step 1) will be sufficiently thorough to include enough analysis of the applicant(s) circumstances including their wider family network to be taken forward as Assessment Ready. Dorset County Council Children s Services may also spot purchase foster carers assessments to cover peaks in workload; this will involve the Fostering Social Worker proceeding with Stages 1 and 2 as and when requested. We are looking for a qualified social worker who is HCPC registered, have references and clear checks, experience of working within a fostering team with a minimum of two-three years experience of undertaking Form F assessments through to completion. 1
Dorset County Council Fostering Recruitment Two Stage Process STEP 1 DORSET CHILDREN S FOSTERING TEAM FOSTERING RECRUITMENT TWO STAGE PROCESS WEEK 1 Online enquiry received -Information pack sent 24 hrs Initial Telephone call within 24 hours of receipt Initial Home Visit. Visit and written up within 10 days. Not suitable close on system Letter 1, and application form sent. STAGE 1. Approx. 8 weeks On receipt of Application and suitable letter 2 sent. Stage 1 commences. Assessing Social Worker allocated home visit to complete within 10 days Stage 1 Agreement (to include chronologies), DBS, medicals undertaken, Health and Safety report provided. Seek all references, interview at least two referees. Applicants attend prep group (Prep group could be before start of stage 1 if number of groups allow) Information complete/received - Stage 1 Agreement completed FSM or OM decision whether to progress to stage 2- case note added to system Letter 3A continue to stage 2 OR letter 3B stop process and close (Both sent within10 days of info completed or a brief report to panel is required) Continue to stage 2 Complaints process Applies STAGE 2 Commences - Approx. 10 weeks to panel 2
Stage 2 must be completed unless: Applicants withdraw from process Applicants deemed unsuitable as result stage 1 (where 1 and 2 carried out in parallel with connected person assessments) Applicant or member of household convicted or cautioned for specific offence Assessment terminated following brief report presented to panel. Home study started. Information collected and report written (8 weeks) Carer/s profile to be created. PDP and safe-care agreement completed Foster Panel If required a brief report to panel if likely unsuitable (applicants see report 10 days prior to panel and given 10 working days to send their observations to panel). Minutes and ADM paperwork to be completed within 7 working days of receipt of panel minutes. Fostering admin notifies FT managers and FSW. Carers notified orally within 2 working days of ADM outcome by FSW or TM and system updated. Carers written to, (letter 4) within 5 working days by Fostering Admin with copy of minutes, and reports. Papers uploaded to system. Case note added. Foster Carer Foster Carer Agreement sent. ADM decision as to whether we cease or proceed with assessment Foster panel-full report Terminate assessment and letter 5 sent outlining right seek a review to IRM OR make representations in writing to the provider within 28 days ADM decision, letter 4 (as above) and Foster Carer Foster Carer Agreement sent 3
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To act appropriately upon receiving referrals for viability assessments when allocated by the team manager. 2. To undertake initial homes visits/carer evaluations to include enough analysis of the applicant(s) circumstances including their wider family network to be taken forward as Assessment Ready. 3. To assess potential foster carers and adoptive carers, completing initial home visits and write up a report within 10 days. 4. To manage the undertaking of a range of assessments and associated administrative tasks in an efficient and effective manner. 5. To undertake Form F assessments for Stages 1 and 2 as required within the required deadlines. 6. To attend Panel meetings as requested. 7. To provide written and verbal reports as required and to assist in assessing and monitoring the implementation of plans and outcomes for service users. 8. To monitor progress and attend all meetings in respect of the plan of work. 9. To keep up to date personal knowledge on resource trends, developments, and make use of research evidence in practice. 10. To co-ordinate links with other agencies, nurseries, Children s Centres etc (networking). 11. To prepare and participate in supervision on a monthly basis. ADDITIONAL: To use information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner. To achieve agreed contract outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the Line Manager. To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to assist with the effective development of the post holder. To ensure all the services within the area of responsibility are provided in accordance with WREC s commitment to high quality service provision to users. To ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation, along with carrying out duties and 4
responsibilities in accordance with WREC s Health and Safety Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy. To carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibilities of the post. PERSON SPECIFICATION CATEGORY ESSENTIAL Qualifications Social Work degree HCPC registered 5 GCSEs including English and Maths Experience Experience of working within a local authority fostering team Minimum of two years experience of undertaking Form F assessments through to completion Significant experience in attending fostering panels and an understanding of the dynamics of these bodies Skills and abilities A commitment to regular training in order to maintain their knowledge base and enhance their practice Self-motivated Able to work as a member of a team Able to work with colleagues with a high level of professionalism Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to complete administrative tasks Capacity to learn new skills, take the initiative and generate ideas with the minimum of supervision 5
Personal qualities Hard-working Reliable, punctual and responsible Puts a high value on treating others with respect and courtesy, and building positive relationships Other A clean UK Driving Licence and willingness to use own car is essential (travel expenses paid at 45p per mile in line with HMRC guidelines) Your offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and ID checks 6