Placement Support Worker - Fostering Team

Job Introduction

Make a Difference in the Lives of Young People – Join Our Fostering Team

Placement Support Worker - Fostering Team 
Service Area: Children’s Services – Fostering
Salary: Competitive, with excellent benefits and development opportunities

2-year fixed term (Secondment for internal candidates)

Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements of RQF Level 6.

Are you passionate about supporting families and helping young people thrive? At Lincolnshire County Council, we’re proud to be an Ofsted-rated Outstanding authority, and we’re looking for a compassionate, skilled Placement Support Worker to join our pioneering fostering pilot.

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 a passionate and experienced Placement Support Worker to join our dedicated team and help shape the future of fostering in Lincolnshire.

Your Role

• Support foster carers through assessment, supervision, and development. 
• Facilitate reflective discussions and deliver training to help carers grow in confidence and skill.
• Support the recruitment and retention strategies.
• 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.
• Provide bespoke support packages to families based on social work assessments.

What We Offer

• A balanced workload and a supportive team environment.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Monthly supervision and clinical psychology  support
• Access to extensive training and development opportunities. 

About you 

• Ideally qualified in Theraplay and/ or DDP or similar therapeutic models.
• Significant experience working with children, families and foster carers.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma, and child development.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and analytical skills
• 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 for teenagers in Lincolnshire. 

We are offering a competitive salary of £32,597- £35,412, 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.

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.