Fostering, Kinship and Supported Lodgings Support Worker
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
07/01/2025
Advert End Date:
26/01/2025 23:59
Job Category:
Social Work - Children Service
Employment Location:
Town Hall, Darlington
Further Information
You will be passionate about improving the outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their carers by contributing to the services offered to carers in Darlington.
We are looking for an individual who embraces Darlington Council's values of Respect, Innovate, Collaborate and Deliver.
The Fostering & Supported Lodgings Team in Darlington delivers on recruiting and retaining Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings providers and assessing and supporting Connected Carers and Special Guardians. The team works closely with colleagues in other Teams as well partners from external agencies, charities and Local Authority's.
The successful candidate would work within a team of Social Workers to support with recruitment activities, to deliver support groups, training and activities for carers and children as well as delivering 1:1 support and signposting for Special Guardians, carers and children.
We would welcome applications from people who have experience of working with children and families and understand the needs of care experienced children and particularly those who may have direct or indirect knowledge and experience of Fostering and/or Kinship Care.
A full induction and training would be provided upon the successful applicant being appointed and you will be provided with reguklar supervision from the Team Manager.
What’s in it for you?!
You will benefit from working in a compact Borough where managing a caseload is not hindered by travel, giving you more time to spend with children and families. You will have access to regular training, reflective supervision, and support from senior managers.
We have a strong commitment to professional development throughout all our children’s service areas, with a training programme that is workforce-led, with strong links to supervision, appraisal, and audit. Our refreshed progression model further compliments personal and professional growth, with a structure that optimises succession planning into management roles. We support and encourage involvement throughout all areas, with regular opportunities readily available through a range of forums, which also focus on building resilience and well-being.
We are progressive and forward thinking service that supports our children and young people to thrive.
In addition, the benefits offered by the Council include:
• 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays with option to purchase additional annual leave
• Generous schemes for maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Generous pension scheme
• Free physiotherapy service
• Free confidential counselling service
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Green Car salary sacrifice scheme
• Great wellbeing offer
• Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
• Arriva Employee Travel Club
For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our total rewards booklet https://www.darlington.gov.uk/media/16573/total-rewards-brochure.pdf
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
For a further informal discussion, please contact Phil Austen (01325 406235), Team Manager.
General Information for Applicants:
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
These posts require a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure.