We are looking for an experienced social worker to join our friendly and welcoming Kinship Team within the fostering service. Working within the Kinship Team completing the assessment of connected person foster carers, providing supervision and support of approved Connected person carers. The Kinship Team provides ongoing support to Special Guardians post order.

We are a dedicated team, passionate about improving the lives of our children and young people and ensuring Kinship carers get the support and recognition they deserve.

Skills and experience required for this post are to work as a team, be flexible, being proactive, able to communicate with children and adults, as well as have experience of working with Children and Young People. Having experience of working in the fostering sector would be an advantage but not necessary.

You will need to be able to drive for this role and have access to a car, be flexible as you may need to work occasional evenings and weekends and be committed to therapeutic training. Flexible working arrangements and the successful candidate will be required to travel within the region working in partnership with social workers. You will be able to work both individually and as part of a team. This position is full time 37 hours, and you will need to be flexible at times to cover evenings and weekends.                                             

Responsibilities will include:

• Undertake duty tasks and respond to enquiries

• Visit to prospective foster carers in their own home and complete initial assessments of suitability to foster.

• Complete Form C assessments

• Attend foster panel and present assessments

• Supervision and support of approved Connected Carers

• Encourage and promote and facilitate training events with carers

• Organise support and consultation groups for Kinship Carers

• Support SGO carers and review SGO support plans.

• To report safeguarding concerns to line manager

• Accurately record work

Applicants will have:

• Experience of working with children and young people both in groups and one to one, preferably within independent, voluntary, or statutory provision

• A Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England

• Good understanding and knowledge of the circumstances and needs of children and young people in care, with a clear ambition to provide outstanding services for the children we look after is required.

• You will have good organisational and time management skills, be confident and have the ability to build strong relationships with young people, key individuals, and organisations
• Trauma informed and be able to support Connected /SGO guardians with pr

• Flexibility will be needed to cover out of hours appointments both in the evening and at weekends

• Full and current driving licence, with access to transport. In return we offer: • Home, flexible based working allowing a good work life balance

• Excellent CPD opportunities

Want to Know More?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council feel free to contact Joanne Hall.

Tel: 01924 302160

E-mail: jmhall@wakefield.gov.uk