Job Opportunity with FFP Member, Fair Ways: Supervising Social Worker

Location: Central Support (Portsmouth)
Salary: £34,149 - £42,741 (inclusive of an on-call Rota)
Contract Type: Full time
Specific Hours: 37.5
Closing Date: 20 May 2023

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Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for? 
At Fair Ways we believe in making a difference through passionate care, support and education. Together we aim to build an institution that makes a difference to society and leaves a legacy greater than ourselves and our contributions. Our values sit at the heart of everything we do; we measure our wealth by the difference we make, rather than the profit we make.  

Where and when do we need you? 
We are looking for a Supervising Social Worker to join our existing dedicated, passionate and professional team. Fair Ways Fostering is a division of Fair Ways, based in Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth. We are committed to employing experienced childcare practitioners who have a child-centered approach, are enthusiastic, self-motivated and are willing to undertake training to enhance and develop existing skills and knowledge.  Fair Ways fostering team is a relatively small team with Social Workers overseeing smaller caseloads. This allows for relationship-based work, with Social Workers being available and able to respond quickly when needed. As a result, we are confident that our service maintains a family centered approach to ensure that our foster families and young people remain at the heart of our work. 

As a Supervising Social worker on our fantastic fostering team, you will be involved in: 

• Supervising and supporting foster families, utilising and developing the foster carers’ skills and experiences, identifying and supporting areas for professional development both individually and as a group. 
• Completing written reports which include annual reviews, placement plans, risk assessments and others as directed.
• Supporting and assisting management in ensuring KPIs are regularly monitored and that targets are being met and carry out the role of Duty Social Worker at least one day per week, in line with the responsibilities stipulated in the Duty Social worker job specification. 
• Monitoring visits with young people and supervisions of all carers on caseload within required timeframes to ensure that you are aware of their individual needs and can recognise any signs or indications of any potential harm the child may be experiencing.  
• Demonstrating an understanding of the need of trauma-informed care. 
• Using a range of different methods when working directly with young people to ascertain their wishes and feelings in respect of all plans relating to them, encouraging them to be involved in the planning process as appropriate. 
• Attending and contributing to reviews and care planning meetings, supporting the foster carers and placement of young people placed in the company, and where necessary acting as advocate for young people and their families 

The successful applicant will be working 37.5 hours per week working 9-5. This is generally 9-5pm however will involve some evenings and covering the monthly on call service for 1 week once a month. This is a hybrid working post, with an expectation to work from the office once a week on the team day. 

All candidates must have a full driving license and have access to the use of a car. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways. 

You and your specialisms 
Our community is core to achieving our mission of making a difference through passionate care, and support. The ideal candidate will possess a good understanding of relevant legislative frameworks – Children Act 1989/2004, Care Standards Act 2000 and Fostering Services Regulations 2011. To support this, you will have the following: 

Essential:  

• Hold a social work qualification and have current registration with Social Care England 
• Previous experience in direct work with looked after children or young people 

Desirable personal skills: 

• Ability to act calmly and purposefully in crisis situations and recognise own reactions and feelings in response to situations and to manage the effects of these on other people. 
• Ability to create care packages that reflect the needs of the young people whilst remaining within realistic financial perimeters. 
• Ability and willingness to be part of emergency out of hours on-call service and to work additional hours when deemed to be necessary by the needs and demands of the post, including weekends and evenings, to ensure the quality of service remains at its highest. This may include supporting the delivery of skills to foster training or requirement events 
• Able to facilitate others to work together effectively in a team as well as, communicate effectively and confidently conveying clear messages in writing or verbally 
• Ability to network and establish working relationships with professionals from a variety of settings, as well as family members and young people 
• Ensure own behaviours and actions in the workplace are in accordance with Fair Ways policy and procedures and all applicable regulatory frameworks and legislation  

Let us look after you! 
Looking after our employees is important to us, and whilst our culture is central to our identity, we also offer a great set of benefits to ensure we are striving to provide the best support to our employees available in the sector. 

• Free Staff lotteries (including prizes such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers and vouchers) 
• Holiday Accrual Scheme 
• Additional Holiday Purchase (up to 5 days) 
• Health Shield (Health cash plan) 
• Employee Assistance Scheme (Application based emergency financial assistance for employees) 
• Education Grant - funding up to master’s level accreditation. 
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 counselling service) 
• Highstreet discount platform 
• Discounted Gym Membership 
• Cycle to Work Scheme 
• Wellbeing Initiatives - Team Building Days, Summer Festival, Wellbeing boxes 
• Leadership Courses 
• Annual Staff Awards 
• Eligibility for a Blue Light Card 

Next Step: Interested in the vacancy? Apply today! We encourage a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all communities. 

Full details and application documents here