Fostering Social Worker

About the Role

Shropshire Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join their Fostering Service on a 3-month maternity cover, supporting foster carers and ensuring high-quality care placements for children and young people.

This is a varied and relationship-focused role, working across the full fostering journey-from assessing prospective carers to supporting approved carers in delivering safe, stable and nurturing placements.

You''ll play a vital role in ensuring fostering households meet regulatory standards, while promoting a trauma-informed, child-centred approach to care.

Hybrid: Home-based with office attendance (approx. 2-3 times per month)

Key Responsibilities

• Complete initial home visits, supporting applicants through the fostering journey
• Undertake robust, analytical fostering assessments in line with legislation and best practice
• Identify development needs and contribute to Personal Development Plans (PDPs)
• Present clear recommendations to Fostering Panel and Agency Decision Maker
• Support Fostering Hub and preparation groups for prospective carers

• Provide regular supervision, guidance and emotional support
• Support carers to deliver safe, stable and therapeutic care
• Empower carers to meet children''s needs and promote placement stability
• Help carers overcome barriers to training and development

• Conduct regular visits to fostering households
• Monitor the quality of care, home environment and child''s progress
• Ensure compliance with Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and safeguarding requirements

• Work collaboratively with adoption teams, IFAs, education, CAMHS and other partners
• Support placement stability through timely interventions and coordinated support
• Contribute to managing capacity and transitions across services

• Contribute to service improvement initiatives
• Support engagement activities and wider fostering promotion
• Ensure practice consistently meets regulatory and quality standards

Why Join Shropshire?

Flexible hybrid working (predominantly home-based)
Opportunity to work in a supportive, specialist fostering service
Meaningful role supporting carers and children directly
Short-term contract with immediate impact
Strong emphasis on trauma-informed and child-centred practice

Experience/Skills

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification
• Are registered with Social Work England
• Have experience within fostering or children''s social care
• Can confidently complete assessments and provide carer supervision
• Have strong communication, analytical and relationship-building skills
• Are committed to trauma-informed, child-centred practice
• Hold a full UK driving licence and can travel across Shropshire

If you''re an experienced Social Worker looking for a flexible fostering role where you can make a real difference in a short-term contract, we''d love to hear from you.