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Job Title: (senior) Qualified Social Worker - Post Approval (Fostering)
Location: Dorchester (Dorset)
Contract Type: Temporary, FT. 37 hours
Salary: 38.00 per hour (umbrella)
Type: Hybrid/Remote working
About Us:
Connect2Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of ethical, trustworthy, and caring, and 50% of our profits are returned directly to Dorset Council for investment in frontline services.
About the Role/Responsibilities:
We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified social worker to join our Fostering Post-Approval team at Dorset Council.
Our Fostering Post-Approval team provides vital support and supervision to our approved foster carers. We're proud to have dedicated funding that helps us support our carers and the children in their care, and provides excellent training opportunities for our team.
We also manage the Duty system, working closely with the Placements Team to ensure children are placed with the most suitable foster carers.
Our service includes several specialist schemes, such as:
- Family Link carers for children with disabilities.
- Resilience carers for young people transitioning from residential care.
- Parent and Child carers for parents and their babies.
- Alongside our other mainstream carers who provide crucial support.
Notably, approximately a third of our carers are kinship connected carers, playing a vital role in our fostering community.
Do you have experience in any of these areas, or a strong knowledge of fostering, and are eager to expand your expertise? Are you able to demonstrate creativity and initiative in supporting our carers to look after Dorset's most vulnerable children and young people?
What Will You Be Doing?
In this role, you'll be at the heart of providing practical and social work support for children and families within the fostering service. Your day-to-day activities will include:
This role will involve; supporting with one of our Mockingbird Constellations and supporting with our Supported Lodgings Service.
- Visiting children and their families to offer support and guidance.
- Carrying out interventions to address specific issues.
- Reviewing the work you've done to ensure its effectiveness.
- Engaging in direct work with children and families to build strong, supportive relationships.
- Performing any other tasks identified as necessary to support the well-being of children.
All your efforts will be grounded in best evidence and good practice, always prioritising the best interests of the children in Dorset.
About You
You are a qualified social worker, Social Work England registered, with a passion for meeting the needs of children in foster care.
You thrive in a team environment, working closely with colleagues within the Fostering Service and our wider Children's Services to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
You will provide support and supervision to foster carers, ensuring adherence to the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations.
You actively invest in the team's life, developing strong working relationships, respecting others' strengths, celebrating differences, and seeking solutions together.
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Dorset? Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating positive change!
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Enhanced DBS for Children's and Adults (we can obtain for you)
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- SWE (HCPC) Registered
- Degree in Social Work (or equivalent)
- At least, 3 years post qualified experience within a English Local Authority
- Have access to a car and be willing to travel
Benefits
500 welcome bonus (paid after 12 weeks), Dorset Council has ample onsite parking, with the opportunity for role progression and training for both permanent and temporary staff within the authority as well as competitive rate of pay
Please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated recruitment team if you have any questions, or feel you have the requirements to fulfil this post. We offer a welcome and 500.00 referral bonus to anyone who is successfully placed in a new role.
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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.
