Children’s Senior Social Worker Kinship Fostering Team #000AB81C1

Oldham
January 22, 2026
£40 - £40 / hour
Interim / temporary

Job Description

Supervising Social Worker – Fostering Kinship Team 

Purpose of the Role

To assess, supervise and support kinship (Connected Persons) foster carers and Special Guardians in Oldham, ensuring high-quality, safe and stable family-based care that promotes children’s welfare within their wider family network. Practice is grounded in systemic, relationship-based approaches and aligned to National Minimum Standards and statutory kinship guidance.

 

Key Responsibilities

1) Assessment & Permanence

  • Complete viability assessments connected persons/kinship fostering assessments, and Special Guardianship (SGO) reports, including presenting to Fostering Panel and court where required.

  • Undertake temporary approvals and Regulation 24 processes, progressing timely to panel or court in line with Oldham procedures.

  • Develop child-centred plans that prioritise safe permanence within family networks, consistent with Oldham’s Kinship Local Offer

2) Supervision & Support of Carers

  • Provide regular supervision visits (planned and unannounced), reflective discussions, and annual reviews for approved kinship foster carers, in accordance with NMS Standards

  • Identify and coordinate training, learning and development needs of carers and support groups, in line with NMS Standards

  • Offer practical and emotional support, signposting to specialist services (e.g., therapeutic support) as part of Oldham’s Local Offer for kinship families.

3) Multi-Agency Collaboration & Child-Focused Practice

  • Work closely with children’s social workers, education, health, and the wider team around the child to achieve good outcomes, including Family Time (contact) arrangements.

  • Contribute to statutory meetings (CIOC reviews, care planning, child protection conferences) and court proceedings as required.

  • Apply systemic practice principles—relationship building, understanding family dynamics, and reflective learning—embedded within Oldham’s practice model.

4) Duty & Service Development

  • Participate in duty rota arrangements to support carers and placements.

  • Contribute to recruitment and retention activities, foster carer forums, and continuous service improvement.

  • Uphold OSCP multi-agency practice standards and local safeguarding procedures adopted across Greater Manchester.

5) Recording, Compliance & Quality Assurance

  • Maintain accurate case records on council systems, meeting data protection and recording standards.

  • Ensure work complies with Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards.

  • Contribute to audits, panel feedback, and performance monitoring to evidence quality and impact.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Registration

  • Qualified Social Worker (DipSW/CQSW/BA/MA), Social Work England registered.

Experience

  • Post-qualification experience in fostering/kinship/children’s social care, including assessment and supervision of carers, and multi-agency working.

  • Experience of compiling complex assessment reports for panel/court and managing safeguarding concerns.

Knowledge

  • Strong understanding of Children Act 1989, Fostering Services (England) Regulations, NMS, and Kinship Care statutory guidance (Oct 2024).

  • Awareness of Oldham’s Kinship pathways, Local Offer, and Greater Manchester safeguarding procedures.

Skills & Behaviours

  • Excellent assessment, analysis, and report-writing skills, with ability to meet court/panel timescales.

  • Strong relationship-building and communication skills, including reflective supervision with carers.

  • Organised, resilient, and able to manage a varied caseload within a systemic, strengths-based framework.

Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, culturally competent practice, and trauma-informed approaches.Please note: This is a long-term temporary position with an immediate start available — perfect for experienced professionals ready to make an impact without delay.

What’s on offer:

  • Excellent, competitive pay rates – paid weekly

  • Supportive management team with approachable, experienced leaders

  • A desirable location with great transport links

  • A stable, well-resourced, and encouraging working environment

Why join Semester.co.uk?

  • Free ongoing CPD and training opportunities to enhance your skills

  • Competitive rates of pay with prompt, reliable payments through our in-house payroll

  • Enhanced DBS processing included

  • Dedicated, friendly consultant offering tailored support

  • Access to a wide range of opportunities in your chosen location

Ready to take the next step?
Click ‘Apply’ now to express your interest in this role, or explore other exciting opportunities with Semester.co.uk.

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