Salary: £41, – £44,
Working Pattern: Full and Part time available
Contract Length: Permanent
Location: Horsham (Hybrid)
Interview Date: Week of 20th June

Closing Date: 12/06/22

As a Fostering Review Officer, you will be responsible for scheduling, chairing and writing up annual reviews within timescales. You are required to actively consult with the children we care for, birth family members, all members of the fostering household as well as members of the team around the child. You will be expected to actively promote outstanding practice through the review process, and will be asked to provide reports to senior managers which identify practice, process, procedural or systems themes/issues. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public and you will need to hold a relevant social work qualification and registration.

Experience and Skills

Key Skills:

  • Able to chair professional meetings and maintain an environment where critical reflection and analysis is valued, staff and carers are supported, and knowledge and capability is developed
  • Able to role model and promote exemplary practice and provide expertise in a specific area of service delivery. Well placed to act as a subject matter expert, coach and supervisor to others within the organisation, enabling fostering social workers to develop. Able to effectively lead and provide coaching and mentoring
  • Able to engage directly and meaningfully with foster carers, children, young people, families, and social workers and make assessments on the quality of care and practice afforded to both children and carers
  • Able to focus on outcomes, assess and analyse risk within a context of complexity and uncertainty, providing forward thinking strategies and solutions that consider a variety of possible options to achieve desired outcomes
  • Able to influence, negotiate and persuade in a multi-disciplinary setting and communicate clearly and effectively to explain complicated information to a wide range of people, understanding others’ priorities in order to deal with conflict and resolve difficulties
  • Able to diagnose, research, analyse and interpret highly complex or technical information to make effective and robust judgements and write reports and implement recommendations. Using evidence gained to inform good practice and maintain a focus on positive outcomes

    • Qualifications/experience:

  • Social work qualification & registration with HCPC
  • Good understanding of the legal framework relating to Fostering – including Fostering Regulations (in particular Reg 28) & National Minimum Standards
  • Knowledge of research and good practice in fostering
  • Confidence in safeguarding practice and safe care planning
  • Knowledge of/commitment to the equal opportunities policy, anti-discriminatory practices, diversity issues and user participation
  • Knowledge of the application of safe care and health and safety principles in foster carer households
  • Commitment to professional development, proactively maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of changes in legislation, white papers, current research and best practice developments and share and disseminate this with colleagues

    • Rewards and Benefits

    For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our page.

    Further Information

    The reference number for this role is CAFHE

    For a conversation or further information regarding the role,