About this role
Job summary
Are you a social work practitioner who wants to make a difference to children and young people by bringing out the best in others who want to foster children.
We are interested in hearing from Independent Social Workers with track record of completing thorough, robust and effective fostering assessments to join our pool of independent assessors to assist us as we grow our small therapeutic, not for profit Fostering Agency.
You would be trained to complete our fostering assessment which reflects the therapeutic model of care provided by our foster families, and then complete the assessment with prospective foster families.
If you would be interested in applying, please complete our initial for and upload your CV here: https://form.jotform.com/233374130372348
Main duties of the job
Job description
Successful applicants will
Have a clear understanding of relevant childcare legislation including that pertinent to the fostering task.
Have a good working knowledge of the impact of loss and trauma on looked after children and young people.
Have a clear understanding of therapeutic parenting and work with the agency to understand their training and working models of support.
Have excellent written and oral skills that will support the completion of a fostering assessment to present to panel.
Be able to critically analyse information provided and cross reference it with knowledge of looked after children.
To be able to address issues with applicants and agency colleagues that are difficult in a fair and proportionate manner.
Be able to report safeguarding concerns in a timely and effective manner in line with the agencies policies and processes.
To be available to attend panel and present the complete or part completed assessment.
To work closely with agency colleagues to understand the current needs of children and young people referred to Changing Futures Fostering.
To address diversity issues and promote anti-discriminatory practice.
Be an active part of supervision and address areas discussed within agreed timescales.
To inform Changing Futures Fostering at once if they have been charged, cautioned or convicted for any criminal offence or if any criminal proceedings are pending.
About us
About Changing Futures North East
Changing Futures North East is a vibrant and fast-growing Charity that is in the privileged position to be able to trial new approaches to working with children and families to catalyse their own, sustainable change. Over the past 26 years, we have grown from an estate-based youth club to a provider of children and families work across Tees Valley, particularly specialising in work that supports and is enabled through healthy relationships.
Changing Futures has particular strengths and experience in:
Pioneering delivery of emotional wellbeing and mental health services pioneering mentalisation based therapy for couples in Tees Valley, and providing EMHPs, CWP and Counsellors into the childrens emotional wellbeing system through two partnerships, as well as delivering adverse childhood experiences programmes for parents and children separately.
Supporting care experienced young people through a fostering service (underpinned by a bespoke trauma informed therapeutic training programme, changing futures through fostering) and through mentoring and befriending support
Reducing parental conflict services delivering mediation and groupwork programmes, and supporting statutory agencies across England to embed a reducing parental conflict offer within their systems
Job description Job responsibilities
Job description
Successful applicants will
Have a clear understanding of relevant childcare legislation including that pertinent to the fostering task.
Have a good working knowledge of the impact of loss and trauma on looked after children and young people.
Have a clear understanding of therapeutic parenting and work with the agency to understand their training and working models of support.
Have excellent written and oral skills that will support the completion of a fostering assessment to present to panel.
Be able to critically analyse information provided and cross reference it with knowledge of looked after children.
To be able to address issues with applicants and agency colleagues that are difficult in a fair and proportionate manner.
Be able to report safeguarding concerns in a timely and effective manner in line with the agencies policies and processes.
To be available to attend panel and present the complete or part completed assessment.
To work closely with agency colleagues to understand the current needs of children and young people referred to Changing Futures Fostering.
To address diversity issues and promote anti-discriminatory practice.
Be an active part of supervision and address areas discussed within agreed timescales.
To inform Changing Futures Fostering at once if they have been charged, cautioned or convicted for any criminal offence or if any criminal proceedings are pending.
Person specification
You will have a Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
Knowledge
A level of understanding of the purpose & function Changing Futures Fostering
An appreciation and understanding of the effect of separation and loss on children.
To have knowledge of Fostering, interest in child in care and be committed to promoting the best interests of vulnerable children.
Abilities
Excellent listening and communication skills
The ability to establish a good working relationship with potential foster parents to bring out the best in them.
A proven ability to collate high levels of information and use your social work skills to analyse the information and demonstrate its relevance to the fostering task.
To have a clear understanding of the impact of life events and how they impact on children and adults.
Have excellent written skills in order to complete a rich and detailed assessment report relevant to the task.
To demonstrate a clear understanding of valuing diversity, and how to avoid or address discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, culture, sexuality or age.
Attitudes
A value base that understands diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexuality.
An understanding of, and a commitment to, the need for confidentiality and how to report any concerns.
A willingness to work with agency colleagues to gain understanding and gain knowledge in to the working practices of the agency and how it upholds standards.
A willingness to contribute constructively to Assessor training sessions and workshops.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge A level of understanding of the purpose & function Changing Futures Fostering An appreciation and understanding of the effect of separation and loss on children. To have knowledge of Fostering, interest in child in care and be committed to promoting the best interests of vulnerable children.
Experience Essential
You would be trained to complete our fostering assessment which reflects the therapeutic model of care provided by our foster families, and then complete the assessment with prospective foster families.
Qualifications Essential
You will have a Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
Abilities Essential
Abilities Excellent listening and communication skills The ability to establish a good working relationship with potential foster parents to bring out the best in them. A proven ability to collate high levels of information and use your social work skills to analyse the information and demonstrate its relevance to the fostering task. To have a clear understanding of the impact of life events and how they impact on children and adults. Have excellent written skills in order to complete a rich and detailed assessment report relevant to the task. To demonstrate a clear understanding of valuing diversity, and how to avoid or address discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, culture, sexuality or age.
Attitudes Essential
Attitudes A value base that understands diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexuality. An understanding of, and a commitment to, the need for confidentiality and how to report any concerns. A willingness to work with agency colleagues to gain understanding and gain knowledge in to the working practices of the agency and how it upholds standards. A willingness to contribute constructively to Assessor training sessions and workshops.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Changing Futures North East
Address 3 Abbey Street
Hartlepool
TS24 0JR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.changingfuturesne.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)