Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer

Help us promote excellent fostering practice across Derbyshire

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Derbyshire County Council as a Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer, working within our Fostering Service.This is a part-time role of 18.5 hours per week, offered on a fixed-term contract for 18 months.As a Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer, you will provide independent oversight of foster carer reviews, helping to ensure that our fostering arrangements remain safe, effective and focused on achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.You will bring professional curiosity, balanced judgement and a strong understanding of fostering practice. Through constructive challenge and collaborative working, you will help foster carers, social workers and managers recognise strengths, address areas for development and maintain high standards of care.

What will you be doing?

In this important quality assurance role, you will:

• chair and oversee statutory reviews of approved foster carers
• ensure reviews are timely, evidence-informed and compliant with relevant fostering legislation, regulations, statutory guidance and national minimum standards
• consider information from foster carers, children and young people, supervising social workers, children’s social workers and other professionals
• ensure that the experiences, wishes and feelings of children and young people inform the review process
• provide clear, balanced and analytical recommendations about foster carers’ continued suitability and terms of approval
• identify strengths, themes, risks and areas for practice development
• provide appropriate professional challenge and escalate concerns when necessary
• work closely with supervising social workers, service managers and the fostering panel
• contribute to service learning, audit activity and continuous improvement
• maintain accurate, clear and timely records
• support respectful, inclusive and trauma-informed practice throughout the Fostering Service.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced and confident qualified social worker who can demonstrate:

• a recognised social work qualification
• current registration with Social Work England
• substantial post-qualifying experience in children’s social care
• sound knowledge and experience of fostering services and foster carer reviews
• a strong understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, statutory guidance and the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards
• excellent assessment, analytical and report-writing skills
• the ability to chair complex meetings effectively and inclusively
• confidence in offering constructive challenge and making clear, evidence-based recommendations
• effective communication and relationship-building skills
• the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet statutory timescales
• a commitment to anti-discriminatory, strengths-based, trauma-informed and child-centred practice
• confidence using digital case-management and communication systems.

It is expected you will have an appropriate social-work qualification and current Social Work England registration, and be skilled in communication, reflective practice and relationship-focused working.Experience of fostering, quality assurance, reviewing work or chairing complex professional meetings would be particularly valuable. Please refer to the approved job and person profile for the full essential and desirable criteria.

Working in Derbyshire

You will join a service committed to supporting foster carers and improving outcomes for children and young people.The role will involve a combination of home working, office-based activity and attendance at meetings or visits across Derbyshire and, where required, outside the county. The final working pattern will be agreed in line with service requirements.This post is part time, and working arrangements will be discussed with the successful candidate. Some flexibility will be required to ensure reviews are arranged around children, young people, foster carers and service needs.

What we offer

In return, Derbyshire County Council offers a supportive working environment and a range of benefits, which may include:

• generous annual leave, calculated on a pro-rata basis
• membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to service needs
• regular supervision and professional support
• learning and professional development opportunities
• employee wellbeing and assistance services
• access to employee benefits and discounts
• Cycle to Work and eligible salary-sacrifice schemes.

Make a positive difference

If you are an experienced social worker who is committed to high-quality fostering practice, meaningful participation and robust independent oversight, we would welcome your application.This is an opportunity to use your experience to support foster carers, strengthen practice and help ensure that children and young people receive safe, stable and nurturing care.For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Jason Swan, Temporary Head of Service Fostering
Email: jason.swan@derbyshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01629 537710Apply now and help us continue to improve the experiences and outcomes of children, young people and fostering families across Derbyshire.

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.