Fostering Social Worker

Salary – SSW pay - £33,000 p.a. + £1,500 p.a. OOH + £750 p.a. Homeworking Allowance. 

SSSW pay £37,290 + £1,500 p.a. OOH + £750 p.a Homeworking Allowance 

Hours - 35 Hours per Week

Contract - Permanent

Location - Home-based with travel required to visit foster families mainly located in Northamptonshire, Peterborough and surrounding areas.

As a ‘not for profit organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and look to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We know that we cannot provide exceptional levels of care without our staff which is why we prioritise their wellbeing. 

As a hybrid working organisation, we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, an extensive well-being programme and our benefits package, all curated to support a healthy work-life balance for all our staff.

TACT is a foster care charity that invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest in unique projects like TACT Connect, our ground-breaking scheme for care experienced young people and adults, our expanding TACT Education Service and our newly established Health Service. 

It is not surprising that in October 2021 the Times 100 Best Companies Survey evidenced “outstanding” levels of engagement amongst our staff and that we are currently listed as 16th in the UK’s Best Mid-Sized Companies across all industries and the 4th Best Charity to work for in 2022. Come and join us and be part of our amazing team of professionals whose vision is to provide better lives for our children and young people. See our Best Companies summary video HERE.

The TACT East Midlands Team have a unique opportunity for either a Supervising Social Worker who is ready to progress their career to a Senior Supervising Social Worker or a current Senior Social Worker who understands trauma and therapeutic parenting approaches.

This role will give the successful Social Worker a chance to build on their skills and knowledge in providing support and supervision to our foster families mainly based in Northamptonshire and Peterborough and surrounding areas to help them manage the complex needs of the children and young people in their care. Travel to other locations within the East Midlands area might be required in line with service needs.

The main role requirements for this role include:

  • An appropriate social work qualification
  • Up-to-date registration with Social Work England
  • A minimum of 1 to 2 years post-qualifying experience in fostering or in other childcare settings for the Supervising Social Worker role or 2 years experience in fostering for the Senior Supervising Social Worker role.
  • A proven track record in working with and on behalf of children, respecting and maintaining their individuality and promoting their positive development.
  • Experience in supporting and supervising 10-12 foster families to meet the complex needs of the looked-after young people
  • Experience in group work and/or delivery of training.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation including the Fostering National Minimum Standards and Fostering regulations.
  • Experience of working with/supporting looked after children and their foster carers.
  • Ability to prioritise, plan and self-organise efficiently.
  • Capable of using electronic records systems and IT effectively, including participating in virtual meetings and webinars.

In addition to the annual salary, the postholder will be paid £1,500 p.a. Out Of Hours Allowance upon participation on the rota.

TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:

  • 31 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, and volunteer days policy).
  • Family-friendly policies.
  • Homeworking ‘bundle’ including an annual allowance of £750, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
  • Stakeholder pension scheme (salary sacrifice) and life insurance from day one.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (including free CBT counselling, remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions).
  • Fantastic learning and development opportunities.

.An Enhanced DBS clearance is also required and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.

Please see the Job Information Pack and Job Description for further information.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people.  All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 26th April 2023

Interview Date: Friday, 5th May 2023 (via Microsoft Teams)

TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

TACT reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.