Supervising Social Worker (Fostering)

Supervising Social Worker (Fostering)

Shared Care Services (Fostering Division)

Ilford, East London- On-site

Full-time, Permanent

About Shared Care Services

Shared Care Services is a specialist independent fostering agency dedicated to supporting children and young people with disabilities and complex needs to live fulfilling lives within their communities. As a fostering agency, we recruit, train and support experienced and skilled foster carers who provide safe, nurturing placements for children with disabilities. Our mission is to deliver high-quality care and empower individuals to thrive, and we are committed to fostering inclusion, understanding and resilience among the individuals and families we serve.

About the role

We are looking for a confident and committed Supervising Social Worker to join our growing team. You will supervise and support a caseload of foster carers to ensure that children with disabilities and complex needs receive the highest standard of care while in placement.

Based at our Ilford office and covering London and surrounding areas, you will carry out regular home visits (including unannounced visits), complete assessments and reviews, deliver training, and ensure placements remain compliant with regulatory and organisational standards. You will work collaboratively with children’s social workers, placing authorities and multi-disciplinary teams, contribute to placement planning and matching, and advocate for the needs of foster carers and the children in their care.

This role requires maturity, personal confidence, a sound working knowledge of the legal framework for children looked after and fostering services, and the ability to project a robust professional ethos. We welcome applications from international social workers who hold valid registration with Social Work England.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and support foster carers through regular planned and unannounced home visits.
• Complete assessments and reports, including but not limited to Form F assessments, annual reviews, standard of care enquiries and health and safety checks.
• Deliver training and promote foster carers’ continuing professional development.
• Ensure placements comply with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, the National Minimum Standards, safeguarding policies and child welfare legislation.
• Work in partnership with children’s social workers, placing authorities and other professionals to progress care plans and achieve positive outcomes.
• Contribute to identifying, matching and planning in-house placements for referrals received from local authorities.
• Advocate for the needs of foster carers and the children placed with them.
• Maintain accurate, relevant and timely case records and reports.

Person specification – Essential

• A recognised professional social work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Work England, or eligibility to obtain such registration before commencing employment. We welcome applications from overseas-qualified social workers who hold, or are eligible to obtain, registration with Social Work England.
• At least one year of experience in social work, ideally including work with children and young people, child protection, or fostering.
• An understanding of safeguarding principles and child welfare, together with knowledge of or a willingness to develop knowledge of the UK fostering framework.
• Strong skills in assessment, case management, and report writing.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine commitment to promoting inclusion, equality, and diversity.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Preferably a full valid driving licence and willingness to travel as required.
• Eligible to work in the UK. Sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route may be available for suitable candidates.

Terms and conditions

• Job type: Full-time, permanent.
• Location: On-site at our office in Ilford, East London, covering London and surrounding areas, with occasional travel outside London.
• Salary: £37,338 – £45,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Registration: Social Work England registration required; full driving licence preferable.

Safeguarding

Shared Care Services Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and references.