Supervising Social Worker

Foster Care Associates (FCA) Supervising Social Worker - ASYE Applications Welcome

Salary: 29,951.65 per annum
Benefits: 2,000 Car Allowance, 30 days' Annual Leave, rising to 35 days with length of service + Bank Holidays, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan (all benefits pro rata)
Location: Hybrid - supporting foster carers across Plymouth and Cornwall
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding - 2026

We are pleased to welcome applications from newly qualified social workers looking to begin their career within fostering. This is an excellent opportunity to join Foster Care Associates and develop your professional skills within a supportive and experienced team.

We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with starting your career, and our dedicated team is committed to providing you with the support you need to succeed. From day one, you will benefit from a structured induction programme designed to familiarise you with our processes and best practices.

Our experienced colleagues will support and mentor you throughout your journey, ensuring you have the resources and confidence to develop in your role. You will also be supported through the CPEL programme, which we deliver in partnership with universities.

We value the fresh perspectives and enthusiasm that newly qualified social workers bring and encourage applications from those who are newly qualified or due to complete their qualification this year.

About Us

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers.

The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked-after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that is still where our Head Office is today.

We have grown significantly over the years and built a strong reputation for excellence, offering a wide range of services to children and families. Our purpose remains the same: to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities. This is underpinned by values designed to help children and young people reach their full potential.

Today, we are one of the country's largest and most experienced independent fostering agencies. Despite our size, we maintain a strong sense of community and remain committed to supporting every child and foster parent.

About the Role

Our South West team is seeking a Supervising Social Worker to support and empower foster carers and young people across Cornwall and Plymouth.

• Support foster carers and their families to achieve outstanding outcomes for all children and young people in foster care
• Support and monitor the continued suitability and competence of foster carers, ensuring they provide a safe, healthy, nurturing and learning environment for children and young people
• Ensure that carers fully understand the fostering task, competencies to be achieved and the standards expected, including complaints and representation procedures as detailed in FCA policies and procedures
• Provide and record regular supervision to allocated foster carers in line with FCA's Operational Standards
• Work in partnership using a team parenting approach to identify and meet needs within foster families, e.g. respite, activities, therapy and holidays, contributing to relevant meetings and tasks
• Ensure each child and foster carer is fully compliant in respect of all key documentation
• Attend meetings and/or provide reports for commissioning teams to address individual packages of care
• Promote participation of children and young people in the development of the agency and access to local resources and opportunities
• Participate in an 'out of hours' support service on a rota basis
• Undertake occasional initial home visits and Form F Assessments

You Must Have

• A Social Work qualification
• Professional registration with Social Work England or equivalent
• Proven ability to produce a high standard of report writing
• A comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation and child safeguarding procedures
• The willingness and ability to travel extensively (including occasional nights away)
• Confidence in transporting children and young people in sometimes challenging situations
• Full driving licence

If you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Naomi Pollard, Registered Manager, on (phone number removed).

No agencies please.

Foster Care Associates is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by Jobcentre Plus.

The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.

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