Fostering Social Worker - Kinship Assessment Team

Role Responsibility

Two permanent, full time positions at 37 hours per week.  One based at Kroner House, Ashford and the other based at Brook House, Whitstable.

This is an exciting time to join Kent Fostering Service as we have introduced three new Kinship Assessment Teams across the County. We are looking to recruit 2 Fostering Social Workers to join teams based in Kroner House, Ashford and the other at Brook House, Whitstable, (one post in each team), with flexibility in respect of office and working at home. 

Alongside undertaking Kinship Fostering Assessments, you will be completing Special Guardianship Assessments; Viability Assessments: and delivering preparatory training to Kinship Carers . You will also be required to present assessments to the fostering panel and at times attend court therefore it is essential to have excellent presentation skills and a confident and articulate manner.

Part of your role will be to undertake statutory supervision and support for Kinship Foster Carers whilst in the assessment process, working collaboratively with the team around the child, to achieve the very best outcomes. You will need to show that you are disciplined, highly organised and able to meet very tight deadlines. 

This is a great opportunity to be joining a new team and a supportive and established fostering service whose goals are to improve the outcomes of children through completing thorough kinship assessments along with delivering preparation courses for carers to equip them with the knowledge and skills to care for their relatives/friends.

Skills and experience:

• A motivated social work practitioner, passionate about fostering and kinship and providing  quality care for children who have experienced trauma 
• Disciplined, highly organised and able to work to tight deadlines.
• Strong presentation skills and a confident and articulate style.  
• Sound interpersonal skills with proven experience of completing evidence based and  high quality, analytical assessments with adults and children
• Knowledge of Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations
• Work with Case Management systems and ensure management information is maintained
• Ability to work flexible hours to fit with the needs of kinship carers. This will include some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel in a timely and effective manner across Kent and also out of county.

The post holder will receive a car allowance and the market premium (as per criteria)

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Interviews to be held Wednesday 23rd July in Ashford

Contact Details

For any queries regarding the role, please contact:

Mim Nicols (Team Manager, Kinship Assessment 2 - Kroner House) via Mim.Nichols@kent.gov.uk 

or

 Tracy Burroughs (Team Manager, Kinship Assessment 3 – Brook House) via Tracey.Burroughs@kent.gov.uk,

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.