About the role:
The post is that of Advanced Practitioner within the Fostering Team which is in the Children and Families Services and is responsible for all aspects of recruitment, assessment, support and supervision to approved foster carers and connected carers.
The fostering service in Waltham Forest has re-shaped, bringing together its assessment and support service to provide consistency in support provided to our foster carers. Social workers working in this service will be committed to establishing trusting relationships with their carers during the assessment stage, building on this further post approval and supporting them during their first placements when they are at their most vulnerable. Applicants will report to the Deputy Team Manager and the Team Manager and deputise in their absence.
Applicants will supervise up to 3 social workers within the team and have an excellent working knowledge of relevant legislation, performance issues, ability to manage conflict and a myriad of tasks involved as a manager. Applicants should have experience of working in children’s services. The applicant will need to have an understanding of the Mockingbird programme.
Applicants would need experience of managing staff, be resilient and robust in a fast paced and highly regulated service. Applicants will be enthusiastic and highly committed to providing high support and challenge to staff and our foster carers to ensure that the children of Waltham Forest receive quality care in a warm family environment.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience – PO5 - P06
Knowledge, Skills and Experience – PO7
We know what social work is WORTH! Make the difference to the lives of children and families in Waltham Forest!
Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, our borough is a fantastic place where people want to live, work and play.
9 out of 10 staff in our social care teams enjoy our strong learning culture, which focuses on new and emerging trends
We invest in your development to help you find your niche, specialising in areas underpinned by a clear strengths-based approach
Inspiring leadership and ambition rated Outstanding
Diverse and inclusive teams who improve lives and make a real difference – a safe and inclusive environment, with active employee-led networks and initiatives
A brand-new Town Hall HQ at Fellowship Square, with innovative and flexible workspace
As a borough which celebrates diversity and inclusivity, we believe that it is important for you to hear from a cross-section of staff working within Waltham Forest. Watch a selection of our staff case studies below.
We offer our staff:
A rewarding role in an Ofsted rated GOOD children’s services department
Stable leadership rated by Ofsted as OUTSTANDING
New Social Work Academy
Strong Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offer including Virtual Reality (VR) training
Competitive salaries and retention bonuses
A range of health & Wellbeing initiatives and vibrant staff-led networks such as our Race Equality Network
Flexible working options
Manageable caseloads
Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension
If you are interested in having an informal discussion about working in children's social care at Waltham Forest please contact:
Rongful Begum, Head of Safeguarding at Rongful.Begum@walthamforest.gov.uk
Kobus Grobbelaar, Head of Corporate Parenting Kobus.Grobbelaar@walthamforest.gov.uk
Roberta Onyekwelu, Head of Placements & Resources Roberta.OnyeKwelu@walthamforest.gov.uk