Vineyard Fostering

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See below for exciting opportunities available with Vineyard Fostering

Independent Social Worker – Form F Assessor

  1. MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
  • To assess and prepare prospective foster carers
  • Prepare Form F reports for panel
  • Present assessments to fostering panel
  1. MAIN DUTIES
  • Plan and carry out home study assessments with prospective carers, using the BAAF Form F format.
  • Agree and work within timelines of the agency and meet those deadlines
  • Help prospective foster carers to contribute to their own assessments as much as possible.
  • To respond to queries or concerns that the prospective carer[s] may have during their assessment
  • Identify when prospective foster carers are not suitable for the agency.
  • Discuss the progress of assessments with the Assessment Manager of Vineyard Fostering.
  • Produce a detailed, high quality written report that is well evidenced and offers social worker analysis around the applicants demonstrating their suitability to foster.
  • To attend the Panel at Vineyard Fostering alongside the applicants to present the completed form F assessment.
  • Adhere to the agency’s standards of confidentiality.
  • Check DBS documentation, & health and safety risk assessment and other related documentation on behalf of the Vineyard Fostering.
  • To complete personal references, ex partners and other references that may be required to ensure that checks have been verified and explored as far as possible regarding the applicants’ suitability to foster
  • Undertake visits to personal references for potential carer[s]
  • To undertake activity designed to raise public awareness of the need for foster carers and to promote the positive image of Vineyard Fostering service.
  • Compose and type assessment reports and Form F documents ensuring all required information is provided.
  • To liaise with other professionals and agencies relevant to the assessment of the prospective carers and the placement of children and young people with them.
  • Provide copies of all reports and correspondence to Vineyard Fostering.
  • To report any conflicts of interest or possible conflicts of interest to the Registered Manager at the earliest opportunity.
  • To work to the standards laid out in the Fostering Services – National Minimum Standards and Fostering Services Regulations (2002), published in accordance with the Care Standards Act 2000 section 23(1).
Form F Assessors undertake assessments for Vineyard Fostering on a self-employed basis. We require individuals with the necessary skills and experience to undertake detailed home studies of prospective foster carers and to write high quality assessment reports. The nature of this post will require flexible working to meet urgent needs as they arise. This will inevitably entail some work outside normal office hours. The job description is therefore not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to these duties, which may have to be varied after discussion, subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post.
 

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Qualifications

a.

Recognised Social Work Qualification, CQSW, CSS, DipSW

    

Experience

a.

Experience of working within a statutory childcare setting or other voluntary or private sector agency.

a.

Experience of undertaking assessments of prospective carers, relatives or friends.

Skills

a.

Able to demonstrate skills in assessment.

a.

Full clean driving licence and supply own vehicle
 

b.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

b.

Ability to work as a member of a team
 

c.

Able to inform, advise, reassure and support prospective and approved carers

    
 

d.

Able to respond positively to all members of the community and to relate to individuals from all walks of life and all sectors of society.

    

Knowledge

a.

Knowledge of National Minimum Standards and Fostering Service Regulations 2002.

a.

Sound knowledge of good child care practice, and relevant legislation regarding looked after children.

Equal Opportunities

a.

Able to demonstrate an understanding of equal opportunity issues and the application of anti-discriminatory practice.

    
Apply to be a Form F Assessor