Social Worker Fostering Team Kinship

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Social Worker to join our Fostering team with a particular initial focus on Kinship.

As a Social Worker within the Fostering (& Supported Lodgings Team), you will provide a range of support to children and young people in care. Your role will involve supporting children and young people to remain in their foster families as much as possible through a variety of creative interventions. You will undertake 1:1 and relationship-based work with children and young people, both in care and those leaving care.

This position is flexible and will reflect a consistent approach to working with families across Children's Services. The duties and responsibilities described below may vary depending on the specific context of the service area.

What You Can Expect to Be Doing:

• supporting Foster Carers, Supported Lodgings Hosts, Children in Care, and Care Leavers across Dorset, including outside the county.
• completing statutory visits every 6 weeks and recording these promptly.
• liaising with the team around the children and young people to create appropriate pathways and stepping stones to independence, ensuring a young person-focused approach.
• preventing immediate endings for children in care and supporting Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Hosts.
• providing reliable support, supervision, and undertaking reviews. You will also attend/present at the Fostering/Supported Lodgings Panel.
• demonstrating a passion for working with children and young people and applying excellent organisational and communication skills to meet deadlines and produce detailed written reports.
• ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed, escalating concerns appropriately and participating in training for Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Hosts to promote their development.
• promoting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people, regardless of their physical, emotional, or mental health needs.
• collaborating within a multi-professional team to support children's thriving within kinship or mainstream families.
• developing meaningful relationships and working with children, young people, parents/carers, and professionals to meet overall outcomes.
• undertaking direct work with young people and their carers on issues such as family conflict, family breakdown, behaviour issues, risk of offending, emotional health, school attendance, neglect, and sexual exploitation.
• supporting children and young people with a strengths-based approach and therapeutic focus.
• escorting, supervising, or transporting children when required as part of planned interventions.
• discussing expenditure proposals with the budget holder for approval

What's in it for You:

• Impactful Work: Support Dorset's Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Hosts, helping them achieve great outcomes for children and young people.
• Personal Growth: Contribute to making a difference in the lives of Care Leavers and Children in Care, helping them transition into adulthood and beyond.
• Team Support: Be part of a team that values partnership working, creativity, and passion.
• Service Development: Help shape the service, introducing new ideas and approaches to exciting changes being implemented.
• Reflective Supervision: Receive monthly, reflective supervision to develop your skills and support your personal growth.
• Therapeutic Approach: Support foster carers and hosts to maintain a therapeutic approach to care.
• Training and Development: Access dynamic training opportunities, including a comprehensive induction programme.
• 1:1 Support: Receive guidance and support from advanced practitioners in the team.
• Wellbeing Support: Benefit from Dorset's staff wellbeing service.
• Career Progression: Enjoy opportunities for career development and progression within Dorset Council.

Context of Work:

• keep children and young people at the heart of our support to foster carers, staying put, and supported lodgings providers.
• work as part of a team to provide high-quality, loving homes for children in care, those on short breaks/respite, and those needing supported accommodation.
• assess and support Kinship family arrangements.
• support carers to be resilient, developing a supportive network within the fostering community.
• provide carers with an appropriate balance of support, challenge, and reflection.
• be creative in ensuring that children and young people can remain placed within their communities and support networks whenever possible

This position offers an opportunity for meaningful work within the community, making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. If you are passionate about social work and committed to helping others, we encourage you to apply.

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.