Join Us

Become a Resilience Foster Carer and Transform Lives!

Are you passionate about making a different in the lives of children and young people who have faced significant neglect or trauma? Join us as a Resilience Foster Carer and be a crucial part of their journey towards healing.

We offer both short and long-term fostering placements, providing stability and support to children and young people who experienced significant neglect or trauma.

Our model is grounded in resilience theory, focusing on helping children and young people bounce back from past traumatic experiences. As a Resilience Foster Carer, you'll play a key role in providing therapeutic caregiving that promotes healing and growth.

Embrace the opportunity to care for children and young people with high complex needs. Your dedication and compassion will contribute to their development and well-being.

Contribute to the successful implementation of step-down plans from residential care or prevent children from entering residential care. Your support will make a lasting impact on their lives.

Align with out vision for every child to be 'Happy, Safe & Loved, Thriving'. Your commitment will directly contribute to creating a positive and nurturing environment for children and young people.

What We Offer:

• Salary: Up to £39,000 professional fee and child allowance of up to £13,520 per annum.
• Additional allowances for festival, birthday etc
• Comprehensive training and ongoing development opportunities
• Dedicated support from our experienced team
• Being part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Free membership to the Fostering Network

Requirements:

• Passion for supporting children and young people, providing a safe and loving environment
• Commitment to promoting resilience and well-being
• Be a British Citizen or a permanent resident of the United Kingdom
• Have a spare room for the child or young person
• Be at least 21 years old
• Be available on a full time basis

 Join US in Making a Difference!

If you're ready to embark on a rewarding journey as a Resilience Foster Carer and contribute to the vision of 'Happy, Safe & Loved, Thriving' for every child, we want to hear from you!

Apply using the application form attached or contact us to find out more! 

Phone: 01753 690777

Visit: https://fosterforslough.com

Email: foster@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk

Do you want to be part of our Mockingbird journey and be our Hub Home Carer? This is an exciting opportunity, so if you think you have the skills, experience, and enthusiasm to work with us as we develop and expand the Mockingbird Family Model for foster carers – please get in touch!

What is the Mockingbird Family Model?

Mockingbird is a global award-winning programme led by The Fostering Network in the UK, delivering sustainable foster care. It is an evidence-based model structured around the support and relationships an extended family provides.

Mockingbird connects a supportive network of 6 - 10 fostering households and a single Hub Home - we call this a constellation.

Led by a Hub Home Carer and Mockingbird Liaison Worker, the model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families supporting them to build a resilient and caring community. The Hub Home Carer offers vital peer support and guidance alongside social activities  and sleepovers to strengthen relationships  and permanence.

The Organisation

At Slough Children First Independent Fostering Agency, we are proud of our foster carers and their families, who are passionate and committed to improving outcomes for our children and young people, ensuring that they feel safe, healthy, happy and ready to learn and achieve. We place children and young people at the heart of all we do and aim to provide a quality service to ensure that children in care get the best possible outcomes.

Essential requirements

- A minimum of 2 years’ experience as a registered foster carer.

- At least one carer must be available full time; this means if you are single this must be your only job.

- A full UK driving licence and your own vehicle.

- Accommodation:

• At  least bedroom for mainstream fostering.
• One bedroom for planned Mockingbird sleepovers
• One spare bed that can be used to provide emergency care to children within the Mockingbird constellation. This can be a temporary bed but must be in a room which has a door to allow for privacy.

- Have the ability to build strong and collaborative relationships

- Be able to plan and organise monthly constellation meetings and social events with carers

- Be able to work as part of the team around the child as well as independently

- Be able to demonstrate a commitment to training and attending support groups

Join our Care Council and Make Your Voice Heard!

Are you a young person eager to shape the world around you? Do you want to influence decisions that affect your life and the lives of your peers?

We’re assembling a dynamic team of passionate individuals like you to join our Young Panel. This is your chance to be a part of something bigger, to have your opinions heard, and to drive real change in the community.

As a member of our young panel, you will:

Voice Your Opinions: share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns on important issues that matter to you and your generation

Make an Impact: collaborate with like-minded peers and decision-makers to create positive change in your community and beyond.

Gain Valuable Skills: develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that will benefit you now and in the future.

Shape the Future: be at the forefront of decision-making processes that shape policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at young people.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be changemaker!

Ready to take the first step? Visit our website to learn more and sign up today on Youth service registration – Redbridge eforms!

Salary: £49,467 - £54,537 (including local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

As a senior social worker within our Referral and Assessment Service, you will be responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases and producing outcome-based plans that reflect the needs of and risks to children and their families. You will develop effective relationships with children, young people and their families to improve the impact of work and determine the level of service available.

For this role you will need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and at least four years' experience. You will need to have direct management experience within children's social services where you can demonstrate strong and successful leadership and the ability to maximise the potential of others and implement service improvements.

Main Accountabilities

• Responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases producing outcome based plans, having regard to the needs of, and risks to, children and their families.
• To develop effective relationships with CYP and their families to improve impact of work and determine the level of service available ensuring written plans are agreed with the CYP and their families and reflect their views.
• To determine, using evidence based practice how these needs will be met subject to resources, statutory responsibilities, within the framework of council policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for effective Individual performance in line with national standards and performance indicators, including receiving regular supervision.
• Responsible for participating in routine auditing activity across the service to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework.
• To ensure that the needs of service users/carers from all communities are addressed, and that close attention is paid to equalities issues in all aspects of work. To ensure access to translation and interpretation services as necessary.
• To complete financial assessments and, where appropriate, to determine contributions and levels of need/service.
• With the agreement of the Social Work Team Manager/Practice Manager, to identify resources required and available to promote child/family well being.
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other relevant partner agencies e.g. voluntary, community, schools, police, health other statutory agencies/local resource networks and internal partners.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System.
• To work effectively move casework to other areas of service as appropriate with a clear transfer plan.
• To contribute to the development of services to children and families and to attend and contribute positively to team meetings to promote the delivery of integrated and effective services.
• To identify own individual learning needs and ensure that practice reflects contemporary thinking. To ensure regular reflection of skills and abilities and use supervision and approval to identify future and plan to meet future needs.
• To provide cover for the work of other team members and undertake projects and other additional duties commensurate with the level of the job. (The nature of these will vary according to experience, competencies and the grade of the post).

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Indicative post graduate experience (2+ years)
• Professional Standards (Essential)
• Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Workers – issued by DfE (Essential)
• Ability to write reports to a high standard (Essential)
• Understanding of children and families legal framework and assessment process (Essential)
• Understanding and experience of child protection procedures (Essential)
• Current UK driving licence (Desirable)
• Access to own vehicle (insured for work purposes) (Desirable)
• Management experience (Not required)
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant Social work discipline (Desirable)

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please apply at Vacancies | Slough Children First to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted, we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £49,467 -£54,537 (including local weighting & market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

At Slough Children First we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

As a senior social worker within our Safeguarding and Family Support Service, you will respond to urgent Priority 1 and 2 child protection referrals with the aim of keeping children and young people safe from the risk of significant harm. You will gather information, assess and prioritise all decisions about the most appropriate response under S47 of the Children Act. You will carry out assessments on children and young people who have been sexually abused, as well as those who use sexually abusive behaviour. You will work to secure permanency within the family, either in the community or through court processes. The most vital aspect of your role is to help make the child’s journey as smooth and safe as possible, whether that’s through PLO, court, adoption and post adoption and to prevent a ‘cycle’ of being in and out of care.

For this role you will need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and at least four years' experience. You will need to have direct management experience within children's social services where you can demonstrate strong and successful leadership and the ability to maximise the potential of others and implement service improvements.

Main Accountabilities

• Responsible for undertaking social work on allocated cases producing outcome based plans, having regard to the needs of, and risks to, children and their families.
• To develop effective relationships with CYP and their families to improve impact of work and determine the level of service available ensuring written plans are agreed with the CYP and their families and reflect their views.
• To determine, using evidence based practice how these needs will be met subject to resources, statutory responsibilities, within the framework of council policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for effective Individual performance in line with national standards and performance indicators, including receiving regular supervision.
• Responsible for participating in routine auditing activity across the service to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice and record keeping and to act in accordance with requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework.
• To ensure that the needs of service users/carers from all communities are addressed, and that close attention is paid to equalities issues in all aspects of work. To ensure access to translation and interpretation services as necessary.
• To complete financial assessments and, where appropriate, to determine contributions and levels of need/service.
• With the agreement of the Social Work Team Manager/Practice Manager, to identify resources required and available to promote child/family well being.
• To develop and maintain effective working relationships at appropriate levels with other relevant partner agencies e.g. voluntary, community, schools, police, health other statutory agencies/local resource networks and internal partners.
• To maintain, monitor and review accurate records of all work undertaken ensuring recording information is accurate and up to date, including comprehensive use of the Integrated Children’s System.
• To work effectively move casework to other areas of service as appropriate with a clear transfer plan.
• To contribute to the development of services to children and families and to attend and contribute positively to team meetings to promote the delivery of integrated and effective services.
• To identify own individual learning needs and ensure that practice reflects contemporary thinking. To ensure regular reflection of skills and abilities and use supervision and approval to identify future and plan to meet future needs.
• To provide cover for the work of other team members and undertake projects and other additional duties commensurate with the level of the job. (The nature of these will vary according to experience, competencies and the grade of the post).

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Social Work England Registered (Essential)
• DBS Check (Enhanced)
• Indicative post graduate experience (2+ years)
• Professional Standards (Essential)
• Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Workers – issued by DfE (Essential)
• Ability to write reports to a high standard (Essential)
• Understanding of children and families legal framework and assessment process (Essential)
• Understanding and experience of child protection procedures (Essential)
• Current UK driving licence (Desirable)
• Access to own vehicle (insured for work purposes) (Desirable)
• Management experience (Not required)
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant Social work discipline (Desirable)

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please apply at Vacancies | Slough Children First to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted, we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £42,262 - £47,460 (including local weighting and market supplement)
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent

The Slough Children Looked After Teams are looking for passionate and dedicated Social Workers who want to make a real difference to the lives of our children.

You’ll receive exceptional management support, flexible working, bespoke training opportunities and a chance to do things differently.  We’re proud to have created a place where social workers can flourish and develop to their fullest potential and feel listened to.  Our young people are looking for social workers who are honest, approachable and can be themselves.  If this sounds like you and you’re looking for a challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

Our Children Looked After teams work with children from 0 to 18 years of age whose care plan is to achieve permanency via adoption or long-term care.  As a Social Worker in the Children Looked After Teams, this provides an opportunity for you to develop good relationships with children and young people and have a positive impact on their lives.  You would have an allocation of children and young people with whom you care plan, safeguard and support to achieve their best potential.  You would also have the opportunity of working with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and be supported to develop your skills and knowledge in completing age assessments.  We, as a Service, actively listen to the child’s voice and promote children and young people’s choices, safety and fulfilment.

For this role, you’ll need to be a Social Work England registered social worker with a professional social work qualification, or equivalent, and have demonstrable experience of working within a busy service.

Main Accountabilities

• Promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of the child / young person at all times and throughout all aspects of work.
• Be responsible for managing an independent workload, ensuring legislative requirements are met to a high standard and within required timescales.
• Thoroughly assess, critically analyse, plan and implement suitable interventions for complex cases that fulfil statutory regulations, instigating proceedings and taking cases to court as required whilst effectively managing risk at all time and seeking support from senior team members when required.
• Produce concise, well-structured assessments, plans and reports, clearly recording and reporting analysis and judgements and ensuring that all recommendations are followed.
• Where cases are to be transferred to another service or partners, ensure that there is a clearly recorded transfer plan.
• Maintain accurate, up to date, evidence-based records safely and confidentially, in line with statutory requirements.
• Work with children, young people and families/carers to develop effective relationships through meaningful and purposeful direct work, actively seeking and understanding their needs and views to promote their participation in decision making and inform practice in assessment and planning in individual cases.
• Work in partnership with colleagues and other agencies to deliver accessible and effective services, empowering parents and carers to develop and maintain safe parenting practices, leading meetings to achieve outcomes for children.
• Be responsible for own individual performance in line with national standards, service and team specific performance indicators and actions required to address areas for improvement.
• Be responsible for own professional development keeping pace with national, regional and local policy initiatives, attending training to maintain professional development and ensuring the receipt of regular supervision.
• Participate in and learn from routine observation, review and auditing activity conducted by the Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager to secure the highest possible standards of social work practice.
• With the agreement of the Assistant Team Manager, identify resources where required and available to promote child/family wellbeing.
• Develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships to achieve optimal outcomes for children and young people, ensuring a joined-up approach to relationships to other team members and managers.
• Represent Slough Children First’s values and be part of setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focused environment which supports Slough Children First’s vision.
• Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough.
• Provide cover for the work of other team members and take on other additional duties, as required.

Person specification

Education, Training and Experience

Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (essential)
Demonstrable Post qualifying experience as a social worker working with children and families (essential)
Social Work England registered (essential)

General and Specific Knowledge

Knowledge and application of the legal framework and assessment process in Children’s Social Care (essential)
Knowledge and understanding of the values and principles underpinning the involvement of children, young people and families/carers, including the right to access independent advocacy and complaints processes (essential)
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences including children, young people, parents and carers and professional colleagues (essential)
Knowledge and application of social work interventions in at least one area of practice (essential)
Ability to gather and assess information to inform judgement in complex situations and in response to challenge, clearly reporting and recording analysis (essential)
Ability to use a range of interventions effectively and evaluate them in practice to ensure that the correct outcomes are achieved (essential)
Ability to manage and prioritise own workload independently, maintaining professionalism in challenging circumstances and seeking support and suggesting solutions for workload difficulties (essential)
Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice (essential)
Understands and has experience of the statutory framework underpinning social work (essential)
Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (essential)
Some experience in using electronic case management skills (essential)
Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle (desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please apply at Vacancies | Slough Children First to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted, we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Salary: £56,351 - £58,402 (including local weighting and market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services that safeguard the welfare of children and young people? Then we have a Assistant Team Manager role available for you in the MASH team in Referral & Assessment service.

The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for all potential safeguarding concerns in relation to children. MASH is a co-located team which brings together agencies and their information, in order to identify risks to and needs of children at the earliest possible point and respond with the most effective and joined up actions. The purpose of MASH is to make the right decisions for the right families at the right time. This in turn will ensure timely and necessary actions to improve the outcomes for vulnerable children.

The structure of the MASH Team includes one Team Manager ,  two Deputy Team  Managers, three Senior Practitioners ,four  Social Workers and four team administrators.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be art of an exciting time for children's services in Slough then come and join us.

Main Accountabilities

• As a member of Slough Children First’s management team, provide day to day management of the team, providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services that safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
• Make effective day to day use of all available professional resources and use a range of theoretical, evidence based and practical approaches including systemic practice to develop and implement effective interventions and support for children and families both within and outside of the family home.
• Manage the distribution of caseloads to ensure that the child or young person’s needs are met appropriately.
• Support and challenge the team to meet the requirements around thresholds for cases, managing the preparation of high quality reports for court or other purposes, challenging, providing expert advice to guide the team through legal and organisational processes as required
• Support and challenge the team in the completion of assessments, plans, toolkits based on identified need, ensuring at each point risk is evaluated, decisions and management oversight are recorded on the case file and any issues or concerns are escalated to the Team Manager to address.
• Chair the first and transfer core groups and CIN meetings to a high standard, supporting social workers in further meetings as required.
• Co-work complex cases with team members as required without taking on a specific caseload of their own.
• Supervise social workers and non qualified staff in the team as per Slough Children First’s supervision policy, supporting and supervising social work students, acting as a mentor to support them through their professional training.
• Lead hub / group supervision to a high standard ensuring that all team members are aware of progress on cases.
• Provide day to day supervision on case work to a high standard.
• Understand what performance information, and audit outcomes are saying to positively impact on individual cases and support staff development.
• Promote direct work with children and young people, supporting all members of the team to actively seek the views of children and families to inform practice in assessment and planning in individual cases.
• Participate in quality assurance activities to support professional development of staff and improve the consistency of practice.
• Support the Team Manager to tackle under-performance, sickness absence and conduct both informally and formally and within Slough Children First’s policy frameworks.
• Contribute to Slough Children First’s development with knowledge of an area of specialist practice and to provide consultation, coaching and mentoring within the Team, and across the service as a whole as required.
• Develop and maintain own professional links and leads with partner agencies and the voluntary sector and support those of the Team Manager.
• Maintain own professional development through training and other suitable mechanisms and keep up to date with changes in national, regional and local policy initiatives that will impact on the delivery of services and respond accordingly.
• Represent Slough Children First’s values, leading by example in the delivery of these and setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focussed environment which supports Slough Children First’s vision
• Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough.
• Deputise for the Team Manager, undertake projects and other additional duties as required. Undertake work outside office hours as necessary.

Person specification

• Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent (Essential)
• Working knowledge of the legislative framework and relevant guidance and procedures as appropriate to the post. (Essential)
• Experience of managing newly qualified social workers and/or unqualified staff (Essential)
• Social Work England registered (Essential)
• Experience of delivering high quality services to children and in assessment of needs, case planning and/or case management, including complex cases. (Essential)
• Ability to analyse risk relating to child protection and to plan appropriate interventions.(Essential)
• Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice (Essential)
• Demonstrable understanding and application of the statutory framework underpinning social work (Essential)
• Specialist knowledge of one or more key issues affecting children and their families. E.g. Domestic Abuse, Mental Health, Radicalisation, Neglect, Contextual Safeguarding (Essential)
• Evidence of continued professional development to enhance own knowledge and skills ad encouraging others to develop theirs (Essential)
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (Essential)
• Significant experience in the use of electronic case management systems (Essential)
• Post graduate qualification or equivalent, or the willingness to work towards (Desirable)
• Experience of co-ordinating and managing the work of a tea, balancing needs and resources to achieve a high quality service (Desirable)
• Experience in conducting appraisals/supervision that are reflective and strive towards the successful achievement of department/business objectives (Desirable)
• Experience of managing budgets (Desirable)
• Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle (Desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please apply at Vacancies | Slough Children First to submit your CV and apply online. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

Good luck!

Slough Children First is looking for committed volunteers who want to work within our Exploitation and Youth Justice Service, previously known as the Youth Offending Team. This role will give you the opportunity to improve your knowledge, learn new skills and also to develop positive partnership working with the local community.

We are looking for volunteers in these areas:

• Panels for young people who are on court referral orders
• Appropriate Adult (representing young people)
• Activities and programmes
• Mentoring (young people)
• Supervising (reparation projects)

If you are enthusiastic, keen to learn and work with the local community, you can benefit from this opportunity.

Apply Online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the application form to submit your CV and apply online. Once submitted we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please email recruitment@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk. This is an open advert with no end date. Applications will be shortlisted every two weeks.

Good luck!

Do you want to make a difference to a young person’s life? Do you have 2- 4 hours per month to spare?

The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) urgently requires more volunteers, so why not volunteer as a mentor/befriender for NYAS as an Independent Visitor for children and young people in care? As a volunteer you will:

• Have fun, take young people on outings and maybe share a hobby, sport or interest
• Offer support and a listening ear and be a positive influence in a young person’s life and help build self- esteem and confidence

You don’t need any special qualifications. NYAS is looking for reliable and dependable people from all walks of life and they will provide training and ongoing support. They will also pay expenses to a set limit

Here is what some of their young people and volunteers have to say about this rewarding role:

• I like how my Independent Visitor isn’t anything to do with social services and is here to support me
• They have boosted my confidence, now I feel like when I go places I can just relax and have fun
• My young person always looks forward to me coming, they have had such a disjointed life, I am a stable figure in their life and this has to be important for them, as everything else changes around them a lot.

If you are interested, please visit the NYAS website or call Linzi Bagshaw on 07484 075165.

Salary: £40,262 - £45,460 (including local weighting and market supplement)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

A fantastic opportunity for a Supervising Social Worker has arisen within our Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)!

As our Supervising Social Worker, you’ll be an experienced Social Worker, ideally with fostering experience, and have a good understanding of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations.

You’ll build positive relationships with our foster carers and the children placed with them.  Holding a caseload, you’ll ensuring the children are safeguarded by providing assessment, case planning and review of our foster carers, as well as providing support, guidance, and training to the foster carers.

This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to progress their career, bring their knowledge of working with young people and develop it too.

Main Accountabilities

• Ensure the child/ren placed with foster carers are safeguarded and foster carers are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities in line with all Regulations and standards and with policies, procedures (including with regard to allegations), guidance and financial, legal and insurance information
• Build positive relationships with foster carers and the child/ren placed with them
• Provide supervision to a caseload of foster carers
• Provide assessment, case planning and review of the foster carers ensuring timelines are met as laid down by the IFA and within the National Minimum Standards for Fostering in terms of completing these pieces of work
• Complete initial visits, initial enquiries, participate in the skills to foster training and all events that promote fostering
• Complete references and checks for potential and approved foster carers
• Complete Form F assessments within timescales for Stages 1 and 2
• Undertake direct work with children to understand their lived experience within the foster placement
• Give support and guidance to foster carers to help them manage their responses and feelings arising from caring for children, particularly when challenging behavior is presented
• Understand the needs of the foster carers own child/ren
• Ensure planned breaks from caring are provided for foster carers as appropriate
• Work with other partners and stakeholders to ensure the voice of the child and their wishes and feelings are taken into account in all aspects of their care
• Report concerns, identify risks, respond to care plans and move children on in accordance with their needs in agreement with the Practice Manager and Services Manager
• Ensure foster carers receive appropriate training in order to provide care and support, health and safety, enjoyment, education and preparation for the future of the child/ren in their care
• Provide support and guidance to ensure foster carers access the correct stakeholders when ensuring the child/ren achieve their full potential in educational attainment
• Ensure all assessments are robust and fit for purpose
• Promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of the child / young person at all times and through all aspects of work
• Be responsible for managing a complex and independent workload, ensuring legislative requirements are met to a high standard and within required timescales
• Act as a senior professional, using knowledge and experience in a specialist area and from own professional experience to provide advice, support and ‘critical friend’ challenge on cases to colleagues to support them in their work
• Support students working in Slough Children First

• Ensure foster carers understand contact arrangements with the child/rens family
• Ensure all trackers, systems and reports are updated in a timely manner including ICS/Charms and that they are accurate
• Write reports using chronological order
• Take part in recruitment and activity events
• Arrange and deliver Skills to Foster to potential foster carers
• Deliver training to approved foster carers on a variety of issues
• Complete assessments for potential foster carers and present to panel
• Ensure children’s files are kept up to date and accurate
• Actively participate in supervision and appraisal processes
• Actively participate in team meetings or any other meetings internally/externally
• Provide duty cover in the office as allocated
• Provide cover of the out-of-hours duty telephone line when allocated, ensuring ability to respond to any requirements needed
• Generate leads for potential new foster carers and home from home carers
• Ensure the safeguarding of children/young people in line with the role and responsibilities
• Undertake any other duties as commensurate with the level of responsibility of the role. This is as assessed by the management team
• Attend all mandatory training in line with the requirements of the role as advised by your manager and other training as and when required
• Adhere to all SCF policies and procedures at all times
• Positively demonstrate the values and behaviours required by SCF at all times
• Ensure own Health & Safety while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the role and report any issues, accidents or near misses appropriately
• Adhere to all legislation in terms of practice, policies and procedures for the role including the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and SW England standards

Person specification

Education, Training and Experience

Social Work England registered – this role is a Regulated Activity (essential)
Relevant degree (essential)
Commitment to CPD (essential)
Must have 2 years experience of working as a Social Worker within children’s services, fostering experience is desirable (essential)
Must have a good understanding of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations  (essential)
Knowledge of the Childrens Act 2004 (essential)

General and Specific Knowledge

Strong verbal and written communication skills (essential)
Ability to build good working relationships and maintain them (essential)
Excellent listening skills in order to translate verbal discussion into written reports and assessments (essential)
Solutions focused with consideration to the feelings and wishes of the child/ren and the foster carers (essential)
Thorough understanding of safeguarding child/ren (essential)
Excellent eye for detail (essential)
Ability to work within frameworks and to timescales (essential)
Ability to write analytical reports that are fit for purpose (essential)
Ability to have a flexible approach to working hours (essential)
Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity (desirable)
A satisfactory DBS check (essential)
Full clean UK driving licence (desirable)
Access to own vehicle (desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the online application form to submit your CV and apply online at Vacancies | Slough Children First (talosats-careers.com)

The deadline for submitted applications is 31st July 2024.

Good luck!

Salary: £24,157.20 - £27,276 (including local weighting and market supplement)
Hours: Part time 22.2 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

A fantastic opportunity for a Supervising Social Worker has arisen within our Independent Fostering Agency (IFA)!

As our Supervising Social Worker, you’ll be an experienced Social Worker, ideally with fostering experience, and have a good understanding of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations.

You’ll build positive relationships with our foster carers and the children placed with them.  Holding a caseload, you’ll ensuring the children are safeguarded by providing assessment, case planning and review of our foster carers, as well as providing support, guidance, and training to the foster carers.

This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to progress their career, bring their knowledge of working with young people and develop it too.

Main Accountabilities

• Ensure the child/ren placed with foster carers are safeguarded and foster carers are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities in line with all Regulations and standards and with policies, procedures (including with regard to allegations), guidance and financial, legal and insurance information
• Build positive relationships with foster carers and the child/ren placed with them
• Provide supervision to a caseload of foster carers
• Provide assessment, case planning and review of the foster carers ensuring timelines are met as laid down by the IFA and within the National Minimum Standards for Fostering in terms of completing these pieces of work
• Complete initial visits, initial enquiries, participate in the skills to foster training and all events that promote fostering
• Complete references and checks for potential and approved foster carers
• Complete Form F assessments within timescales for Stages 1 and 2
• Undertake direct work with children to understand their lived experience within the foster placement
• Give support and guidance to foster carers to help them manage their responses and feelings arising from caring for children, particularly when challenging behavior is presented
• Understand the needs of the foster carers own child/ren
• Ensure planned breaks from caring are provided for foster carers as appropriate
• Work with other partners and stakeholders to ensure the voice of the child and their wishes and feelings are taken into account in all aspects of their care
• Report concerns, identify risks, respond to care plans and move children on in accordance with their needs in agreement with the Practice Manager and Services Manager
• Ensure foster carers receive appropriate training in order to provide care and support, health and safety, enjoyment, education and preparation for the future of the child/ren in their care
• Provide support and guidance to ensure foster carers access the correct stakeholders when ensuring the child/ren achieve their full potential in educational attainment
• Ensure all assessments are robust and fit for purpose
• Promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of the child / young person at all times and through all aspects of work
• Be responsible for managing a complex and independent workload, ensuring legislative requirements are met to a high standard and within required timescales
• Act as a senior professional, using knowledge and experience in a specialist area and from own professional experience to provide advice, support and ‘critical friend’ challenge on cases to colleagues to support them in their work
• Support students working in Slough Children First

• Ensure foster carers understand contact arrangements with the child/rens family
• Ensure all trackers, systems and reports are updated in a timely manner including ICS/Charms and that they are accurate
• Write reports using chronological order
• Take part in recruitment and activity events
• Arrange and deliver Skills to Foster to potential foster carers
• Deliver training to approved foster carers on a variety of issues
• Complete assessments for potential foster carers and present to panel
• Ensure children’s files are kept up to date and accurate
• Actively participate in supervision and appraisal processes
• Actively participate in team meetings or any other meetings internally/externally
• Provide duty cover in the office as allocated
• Provide cover of the out-of-hours duty telephone line when allocated, ensuring ability to respond to any requirements needed
• Generate leads for potential new foster carers and home from home carers
• Ensure the safeguarding of children/young people in line with the role and responsibilities
• Undertake any other duties as commensurate with the level of responsibility of the role. This is as assessed by the management team
• Attend all mandatory training in line with the requirements of the role as advised by your manager and other training as and when required
• Adhere to all SCF policies and procedures at all times
• Positively demonstrate the values and behaviours required by SCF at all times
• Ensure own Health & Safety while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the role and report any issues, accidents or near misses appropriately
• Adhere to all legislation in terms of practice, policies and procedures for the role including the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and SW England standards

Person specification

Education, Training and Experience

Social Work England registered – this role is a Regulated Activity (essential)
Relevant degree (essential)
Commitment to CPD (essential)
Must have 2 years experience of working as a Social Worker within children’s services, fostering experience is desirable (essential)
Must have a good understanding of the National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations  (essential)
Knowledge of the Childrens Act 2004 (essential)

General and Specific Knowledge

Strong verbal and written communication skills (essential)
Ability to build good working relationships and maintain them (essential)
Excellent listening skills in order to translate verbal discussion into written reports and assessments (essential)
Solutions focused with consideration to the feelings and wishes of the child/ren and the foster carers (essential)
Thorough understanding of safeguarding child/ren (essential)
Excellent eye for detail (essential)
Ability to work within frameworks and to timescales (essential)
Ability to write analytical reports that are fit for purpose (essential)
Ability to have a flexible approach to working hours (essential)
Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity (desirable)
A satisfactory DBS check (essential)
Full clean UK driving licence (desirable)
Access to own vehicle (desirable)

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the online application form to submit your CV and apply online at Vacancies | Slough Children First (talosats-careers.com)

The deadline for submitted applications is 31st July 2024.

Good luck!

Salary: £34,063 - £38,375 (including local weighting)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Team Leader within our Breakaway service!

As the Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for the supervision of a team of staff to ensure that young people receive a complete person-centred care service in a residential setting.

As an excellent role model, you’ll lead, delegate, supervise and assess the residential childcare officers’ practice.

Due to the nature of the role, there is an expectation you’ll provide direct high-quality care and support to young people and work a shift pattern that includes evenings and weekends.

In addition to the salary, you’ll receive a 10% shift allowance.

If you’re looking for a new challenge and want to be part of an exciting journey to turn children’s services around in Slough, then come and join us. In return, we can offer you:

• Training and development opportunities
• Agile working supported by technology
• Flexible working policies
• Friendly working environment and great colleagues.

Slough is one of the most diverse places in the country outside of London and a great place to live or work. In fact it's the best place to live or work according to a survey by Glassdoor. Pleasant environments, above average salaries and a lower cost of living, mean an increased quality of life for employees. We're also one of the most accessible places to be, nestled on the corner of the M25, M4 and M40, and less than 20 minutes by train to Central London.

Slough Children First works within the statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018. Further information on how we adhere to this can be found on our website and in each candidate information pack.

To view the job description, please click here – Team Leader JDPS

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the online application form to submit your CV and apply online at Vacancies | Slough Children First.

 The deadline for submitted applications is Sunday 6th October 2024.

Good luck!

Salary: £39,262 - £44,460 (including local weighting of £1,039)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? Do you have the skills to guide at-risk youth toward brighter futures? If so, we want you to be a part of our dynamic Youth Justice Service (YJS)!

As a Youth Justice Service Case Manager, you will work closely with young people who are at risk of offending or have already come into contact with the justice system. Your role will be to support, guide, and empower these individuals to make positive choices and achieve their full potential. You’ll develop tailored intervention plans, coordinate with various community resources, and provide ongoing support to help them navigate the challenges they face.

You’ll provide high quality written and verbal reports to the Youth and Crown Courts and support the Service in acting as Court Officer. You will undertake direct work with young people and contribute to the Service’s duty system as appropriate.

For this role, you’ll need at least two years of working with young people open to the YJS and their families. You will have knowledge of safeguarding children issues, Every Child Matters, Children Act 2004, and the Pan Berkshire Child Protection procedure. You must hold a professional qualification relevant to Social Care/Youth Justice/Health/Education/Policy or Probation.

If you’re looking for a new challenge and want to be part of an exciting journey to turn children’s services around in Slough then come and join us. In return, we can offer you:

• Training and development opportunities
• Agile working supported by technology
• Flexible working policies
• Friendly working environment and great colleagues.

Slough is one of the most diverse places in the country outside of London and a great place to live or work. In fact it's the best place to live or work according to a survey by Glassdoor. Pleasant environments, above average salaries and a lower cost of living, mean an increased quality of life for employees. We're also one of the most accessible places to be, nestled on the corner of the M25, M4 and M40, and less than 20 minutes by train to Central London.

To view the job description, please click here – Job Description and Person Specification - Case Manager

Apply online

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the online application form to submit your CV and apply online at Vacancies | Slough Children First.

 The deadline for submitted applications is Sunday 20^th October 2024.  Shortlisting will take place in the week commencing 21^st October, with interviews taking place week of 28^th October.

Good luck!