Supervising Social Worker – Foster Care

About the role

The Supervising Social Worker provides regular supervision and support to foster carers, ensuring the voice of each child or young person is heard and recorded. This full‑time position is based in Durham and works closely with the Multi‑Foster Care (MFC) team to promote safe, stable placements.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver at least monthly supervision sessions for allocated foster carers in line with MFC expectations.
• Visit children and young people in placement at least bi‑monthly, or more frequently as needed.
• Support safe matching, placement planning, and stability; attend key meetings and contribute to multi‑agency reviews.
• Respond promptly to safeguarding concerns, allegations, complaints and significant events, escalating to the Registered Manager/DSL.
• Undertake fostering assessments (including Form F), produce analytical reports, and present findings to the fostering panel.
• Maintain accurate records in CHARMS or other agreed systems and support quality‑assurance activities.
• Represent MFC professionally with local authorities and partner agencies, and contribute to service development.
• Participate in out‑of‑hours duty rota as required.

Required profile

• Recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Post‑qualifying experience in children’s social care with strong safeguarding practice.
• Ability to produce analytical assessments and reports.
• Excellent communication, relationship‑building and organisational skills.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Enhanced DBS (child workforce), satisfactory references, and right‑to‑work checks.

Required skills

• Microsoft 365
• Willingness to use/learn CHARMS and other case‑management systems

What we offer

• Competitive salary between £45,000 and £50,000 per year.
• Full‑time permanent role within a supportive multi‑agency environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training in fostering practice.