Supervising Social Worker

The starting salary for this role is £32,743.20 per annum based on a 28.80 hour working week. The full-time equivalent salary is £40,929 per annum.

Are you a compassionate and motivated Social Worker looking to make a real difference in the lives of young people?

We have a great opportunity for a part-time Supervising Social Worker to join Surrey's Supported Lodgings Team within our Fostering Service. You'll be part of a creative and trauma-informed service that focuses on supporting young people aged 16-25, helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to transition into independent living.

Rewards and Benefits:

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of young people in Surrey, helping them thrive in family-style, semi-independent accommodation. Our team embraces a trauma-informed approach, applying theories of trauma, attachment, loss, and restorative practices to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children and young adults we support.

As a team we prioritise professional development and you will benefit from a strong focus on ongoing training, career progression, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Our service offers a collaborative and supportive environment, where a team of dedicated professionals work closely together to share knowledge and support each other in achieving our shared goal of improving the lives of Surrey's residents.

About the Role

In this role, you will be responsible for assessing and supervising supported lodgings carers, connected persons foster carers, and proposed special guardians. You will also complete assessments for temporary approvals under Regulation 24 and take part in broader fostering team activities. A key aspect of your role will involve supporting and assessing private foster carers, ensuring they provide safe and nurturing environments for children. You will engage directly with foster carers, young people, and professionals from multiple agencies, playing a crucial role in shaping the future for Surrey's most vulnerable young people.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting, your CV and personal statement should include the following:

• We are seeking a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England with:
• Experience working with children and young people, alongside a thorough understanding of legislation related to Looked After Children and Care Proceedings
• Strong communication skills and the ability to produce clear, evidence-based assessments
• Confidence in working closely with the public, foster carers, and young people, establishing meaningful, multi-agency relationships
• Flexibility to travel across Surrey and beyond, ensuring we meet the needs of young people countywide

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and although the role is based in Reigate Social Workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area to meet the demands of the role.

Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

If you are passionate about supporting young people and are ready to take on a rewarding role within a dynamic and innovative fostering service, we would love to hear from you!

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 6th October 2024 with interviews to follow.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.