Senior Practitioner

Liquid Personnel is seeking a Senior Practitioner to join the Fostering Service team of an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) based in Birmingham. The role entails supervising a small team of Supervising Social Workers who support foster carers by addressing safeguarding concerns raised by children’s social workers and offering both emotional and practical assistance to foster families. The successful candidate will be instrumental in recruiting foster carers by guiding the supervising social workers, conducting assessments, and delivering training prior to child placements. If this opportunity resonates with you, a career as a Supervising Social Worker could be a rewarding path to explore. What will your responsibilities be? In this role, you will, Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of placements, including case recordings, placement agreements, assessment reports, carer reviews, supervision notes, and child progress reports. Supervise a small team of Social Workers (maximum caseload of 5), ensuring effective support and oversight. Currently, there are only two social workers to supervise. Attend and actively participate in childcare reviews, case conferences, and other relevant meetings. Liaise with managers regarding referrals, matching considerations, and meetings. Lead placement negotiations between HHFC and placing authorities, particularly for children placed with foster carers under your supervision. Participate in the emergency out-of-hours service as required. Chair social work meetings in the absence of the Registered Manager. Attend regular social work meetings to share updates and information regarding children in placement. Support the Registered Manager and Directors in leading best practices, driving quality improvements, and contributing to specific projects. Ensure that each child’s care plan is implemented in accordance with the placing authority’s requirements and in consultation with the child’s social worker, foster carers, parents, and other relevant parties. Undertake training and continuous professional development as required. Maintain a professional image and high standard of personal and corporate presentation. Adhere to HHFC’s policies, procedures, and ethos, and operate within the regulatory framework, including the National Minimum Standards. Perform any other duties as requested by your line manager or Directors, aligned with your expertise, knowledge, and level of responsibility. Qualifications & Experience: To be considered for this role, you must be registered with Social Work England, eligible to work in the UK, hold a degree-level qualification in Social Work, and possess post-qualification experience. Reasonable Adjustments: If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement. We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List. BH - 191104 GH - 32351