Sessional Form F Assessor – Fostering

Powys County Council | £2,500 per completed assessment

Hoop Social Work is currently recruiting experienced Sessional Form F Assessors to undertake fostering assessments on behalf of Powys County Council’s Fostering Service.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Social Worker with a strong background in fostering and assessment to undertake work on a sessional basis, with a fee of £2,500 per completed assessment.

The successful assessor will manage an allocated Form F (Wales) assessment from initial allocation through to presentation at Fostering Panel, producing a high-quality, analytical and evidence-based assessment within agreed timescales.

The Role

As a Sessional Form F Assessor, you will be responsible for:

• Undertaking comprehensive Form F (Wales) assessments of prospective foster carers.
• Planning and completing assessment visits with applicants, household members, adult children, referees and other relevant individuals.
• Gathering and analysing information from interviews, references, statutory checks and other relevant sources.
• Maintaining accurate, timely and confidential records of all assessment activity, visits, discussions and significant information.
• Maintaining regular communication with the Fostering Service regarding progress, emerging issues and any areas of concern.
• Attending supervision and a formal midpoint review with the Fostering Service to review progress, analysis and any areas requiring further exploration.
• Producing a clear, analytical and evidence-based Form F report, including a professional recommendation regarding suitability to foster and proposed terms of approval.
• Responding to quality assurance feedback and completing any required amendments within agreed timescales.
• Attending Fostering Panel to present the completed assessment and respond to questions from Panel members.
• Immediately escalating any safeguarding concerns or significant issues identified during the assessment.

Sessional Fee

The agreed fee is £2,500 per completed Form F assessment, payable on completion of the assessment.

The fee will cover the assessment process from allocation through to Panel, including:

• Assessment visits and applicant interviews
• Recording and case-related administration
• Liaison with the Fostering Service and relevant professionals
• Preparation of the Form F report
• Supervision and midpoint review
• Reasonable quality assurance amendments
• Attendance at Fostering Panel

Assessments will be allocated according to service demand, and assessors will be expected to work flexibly with applicants, including undertaking visits outside standard office hours where required.

What we're looking for

You will need to have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.
• Current registration with Social Care Wales or Social Work England.
• A minimum of 6 months' experience working in the UK as a registered Social Worker.
• Relevant post-qualifying experience within children's social care.
• Experience of undertaking complex assessments. Previous Form F/fostering assessment experience is highly desirable.
• A good understanding of fostering, safeguarding, trauma, attachment, safer caring and the needs of children looked after.
• Strong analytical, report-writing and professional communication skills.
• The ability to work independently, maintain accurate professional records and meet agreed timescales.
• Availability to attend supervision, midpoint reviews and Fostering Panel as required.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a car.
• An Enhanced DBS, registered on the Update Service, or be willing to apply for a new DBS.
• Three years' referencing.

Why register with Hoop Social Work?

• 20+ years' experience in the social work market
• A local specialist agency based in Cardiff, with opportunities across South Wales, West Wales and South West England.
• Exclusive roles and early access to new opportunities.
• A Welsh-speaking consultant if you would prefer to discuss your job search in Welsh.
• PAYE or Umbrella payroll options.
• Twice-weekly payroll.
• A dedicated consultant as your main point of contact, with wider team support when needed.
• We actively supply every Local Authority across South and West Wales, as well as clients across South West England.
• £200 Love2Shop voucher for every successful friend or colleague you refer.
• Wellbeing sessions and thoughtful extras, including birthday gifts.
• DBS and compliance support to help keep the process as straightforward as possible.

Interested?

If you are an experienced Social Worker with Form F assessment experience and would be interested in undertaking sessional fostering assessments for Powys, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Sarah Leigh at Hoop Social Work on 02922 400519 for an informal and confidential chat.

Due to the nature of the role, we can only consider applicants who hold a recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Care Wales or Social Work England. Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available, so please only apply if you meet these requirements.