Children’s Services Supervising Social Worker - Fostering Team

Job Introduction

Supervising Social Worker – Fostering Team
Service Area: Children’s Services – Fostering
Salary: £42,839–£47,181 + 7% attraction & retention payment, with excellent benefits and development opportunities

2-Year Fixed Term (Secondment available for internal candidates)

Join Lincolnshire County Council’s Ofsted-rated Outstanding Fostering Service and be part of a pioneering pilot supporting foster carers for teenagers.

In 2023, we were selected by the Department for Education as one of three national Families First for Children Pathfinder Authorities, under the government’s strategy “Stable Homes, Built on Love.”

As part of our Children in Care Transformation Programme, we are launching a 2-year pilot to recruit and support a cohort of highly skilled foster carers specialising in caring for teenagers. This initiative aims to ensure more Lincolnshire children can thrive in nurturing foster families when they cannot remain within their own family networks.

We are now seeking passionate and experienced Supervising Social Workers to join our dedicated team and help shape the future of fostering in Lincolnshire.

Your Role

As a Supervising Social Worker within our Fostering Service, you will:

• Assess, support, and supervise foster carers, with a particular focus on those caring for unrelated children who might otherwise enter residential care.
• Promote the importance of support networks, encouraging carers to access both local authority and external services.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of trauma, loss, separation, and child development, especially the impact of these upon teenagers.
• Collaborate with multi-agency professionals and attend key meetings to ensure children’s needs are met.
• Bring a trauma-informed, solution-focused approach to complex situations, maintaining a child-centred approach.
• Support recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers.
• Facilitate reflective discussions with foster carers and support their personal development plans.
• Deliver training and contribute to the enhanced training pathway.
• Conduct employers’ investigations and complete paperwork for fostering panel and other statutory meetings and processes in a timely manner, to an exceptional standard.

What We Offer

• A balanced caseload and a supportive working environment.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Monthly supervision and clinical psychology support.
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to mentor and support ASYE social workers and students, contributing to the development of future professionals.

About you 

• Social Work England registered practitioner.  
• Significant social work experience and an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation including The Fostering Services Regulations & National Minimum Standards (2011).
• Understand and respond to people’s unique needs and aspirations abiding by social work values and practice.
• Strong communicator with excellent organisational and IT skills.
• Proficient in case recording and formal report preparation
• Committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.

In return, we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, continuous professional development and career progression. You will have a thorough induction, regular personal and case supervision.  

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking, innovative authority that is shaping the future of fostering. You’ll join a collaborative team and be part of the dedicated pilot team which includes a Practice Supervisor, 2 Social Workers, a Placement Support Worker, and a Training Officer.

We are offering a competitive salary of £39,152 - £42,836 + 7% attraction and retention payment paid monthly, along with an extensive benefits package, details of which can be found in rewards and benefits brochure. 

If this sounds like the role for you, then please read through the full Job Description, to support you to complete the best application possible, before clicking apply!  If you would like to know more about Lincolnshire County Council and our current vacancies, then click the following link: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk .  

If you would like an open and informal discussion regarding the role then please email Fostering North Team Manager Emily McAllister on Emily.McAllister@lincolnshire.gov.uk 

Closing date:  12th November 2025. Interviews to be held: 26th & 28th November 2025

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.