Current vacancies with Orchard Care fostering
Whenever vacancies come up, we'll be posting them on this page, so please take a moment to read through the job description and apply by following the instructions provided. Prior experience and training are not always required (depending on the advertised role), as on-the-job training can often be provided. If you wish to enquire further about a job before you apply, please do get in touch with the team at Orchard Care Fostering, we'll endeavour to be prompt in our response, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Supervising Social Worker Post -
Full or Part time Position
Salary: Up to £39,500 per annum
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Are you passionate about supporting foster carers and making a positive difference to young people?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Supervising Social Worker who is creative and systemic in practice. Working collaboratively with all stakeholders you will strive to ensure carers are fully supported and that young people in our care reach their full potential.
The post is based in Durham however we work with foster carers around the Northeast and North Yorkshire areas. You will therefore be required to travel for the role to support your carers.
We are looking for a committed qualified Social Worker ideally with a sound knowledge of fostering legislation and practice.
Description of the role:
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To provide structured and regular supervision to carers.
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To provide and contribute to support packages for carers and young people.
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To meet the demand of providing a quality service the post holder will contribute to effective recruitment, training, support and supervision of carers, their families and young people.
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To work systemically in close partnership with Local Authorities and any other agencies connected with the foster home.
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The post holder will form part of a 24 hour duty/ “on-call” system for carers.
Please contact us on 0191 378 4444 to request a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification and arrange to visit us!
Panel Chair-
Full or Part time Position
Pay:
£300.00 – £350.00 per day
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Other
Description of the role:
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To chair Panel meetings, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the Panel operates in accordance with Regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency.
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To prepare for Panel meetings, reading Panel papers carefully, identifying key issues and alerting the Panel Adviser if necessary, to ensure, as far as possible, that the case is adequate for submission to Panel.
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To facilitate the active participation of all Panel Members in contributing to the Panels consideration of cases and to the making of clear and well evidenced recommendations with the reasons for these.
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To ensure that all those attending Panel are treated with respect and courtesy.
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To address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
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To ensure that clear and accurate minutes are written, which are recorded any serious reservations which Panel Members may have, and to be involved in checking draft minutes before they go to the next Panel Meeting.
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To liaise with the Agency Decision Maker and with other senior managers as required.
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To ensure with the Panel Adviser, that senior managers are aware of issues of concern, in relation both to individual cases and to more general matters.
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To be involved in the recruitment and appointment of new Panel Members and in any consideration about terminating the appointment of a Panel Member.
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To review, with the Panel Adviser, the performance of Panel Members as the need arises, and at least annually through an appraisal process as per policy and procedure of the agency requirement.
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To assist in developing, promoting and monitoring policies and procedures and high standards of work in the fostering service.
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To assist in training for Panel Members and to participate in this at least one day per year.
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To safeguard the confidentiality of all Panel papers and Panel discussions.
To be involved in:
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Deciding whether a case is adequate for submission to Panel;
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Deciding on the attendance of observers at Panel;
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Deciding on the participation of a Panel Member who declares and interest in a case;
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Deciding when an extra Panel may be necessary;
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The preparation of an annual report on the Panel’s work.
Person Specification:
Experience and Qualifications:
-Experience, either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in foster families and of children being cared for away from their birth family. -Experience of chairing complex meetings.
Abilities:
-The authority and competence to chair a Panel, ensuring that the business is covered and that the Panel operates in accordance with Regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency. -Excellent interpersonal and listening skills. -The ability to communicate well and clearly both verbally and in writing. -The ability to process and analyse large amounts of complex and sometimes distressing information. -The ability to identify key issues and possible solutions and to communicate these clearly. -The ability to facilitate the active participation of all Panel Members in contributing to the Panel’s consideration of cases and recommendations. -The ability to ensure that those attending Panel are communicated with respectfully while also ensuring that Panel Members are able to explore any concerns that they may have openly and honestly. -The ability to manage the expression of strongly held but possibly conflicting views by Panel Members and to help the Panel to reach a recommendation which takes account of all these views. -The ability to take up issues as required with the agency, liaising with the Agency Decision Maker and other senior managers. -When this is an agency requirement, the ability, working with the Panel Adviser, to review each Panel members performance when required, and at least annually, ensuring that this is a helpful and constructive process for both the Panel Member and the Panel as a whole.
Knowledge:
-An appreciation of the effect of separation and loss on children. -An awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children’s needs. -An understanding of the purpose and function of the Panel and of the agency which the Panel is serving. -An understanding of the fostering process and practice and of the legislative framework for the work of the Panel, or the capacity to develop this knowledge quickly.
Attitudes:
-A commitment to keeping children within their own family or community where this is possible and to maintaining contact between children living in foster families and their birth families where this appears to be in the child’s best interest. -A commitment to fostering as a way of meeting the child’s needs, where this appears to be in the child’s best interests. -A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare in foster care. -A valuing of diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexuality. -An understanding of, and a commitment to, the need for confidentiality. -A willingness to increase knowledge and understanding of the issues through reading, discussion and training. -A willingness to contribute constructively to the annual review of their role as Panel Chair, if this is an agency requirement.
Do you have the right qualities to work with Orchard Care?
Please contact us, if you would like further information about a job role or the application process
0191 378 4444
Lines are open on weekdays only -
Mon to Thurs 8.30am-5pm,
Fri 8.30am-4.30pm
You can also get in touch with us by emailing info@orchardcare.org.uk