Mockingbird Liaison Worker (Supervising Social Worker) – Exeter & East

Devon County Council
Location: Follaton House
Hours: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Pay rate: Up to £38 per hour, depending on experience

About the role

Devon County Council is looking for an experienced Mockingbird Liaison Worker / Supervising Social Worker to join their Exeter & East team.

The Mockingbird Team uses the pioneering Mockingbird Family Model (MFM) to create sustainable foster care communities. Foster carers are connected through a network of satellite homes, supported by a central hub home that provides resources, guidance and emotional support — mirroring the strength and resilience of an extended family.

As a Mockingbird Supervising Social Worker, you will work closely with foster carers across the Mockingbird constellation, helping to build and maintain positive connections between the hub and satellite homes and creating a strong, supportive community for carers and the children and young people they care for.

You will be supporting high-quality foster care for some of Devon's most vulnerable children and young people, working in a fast-paced but supportive environment.

Key responsibilities

• Supporting foster carers within the Mockingbird constellation, including regular supervision and foster carer annual reviews.

• Building strong relationships between satellite homes and the hub home, promoting stability, collaboration and a sense of community.

• Facilitating monthly Mockingbird carer coffee mornings.

• Attending and supporting Mockingbird family activities, which may involve some out-of-hours work.

• Undertaking unannounced visits to foster carers.

• Working closely with children's social care teams and other professionals to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

• Attending meetings as required, including Children Looked After reviews and risk assessment meetings.

• Presenting to fostering panel where required.

About you

You will be an experienced, qualified Social Worker with a genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.

You will have experience of managing complex situations and be confident working collaboratively with foster carers, children, families and other professionals.

The successful candidate will be:

• Confident building strong, positive relationships with foster carers.

• Committed to reflective practice and continuous learning.

• Strong in partnership working and able to work effectively across professional networks.

• Creative, adaptable and open to trying new approaches.

• Able to understand and promote the importance of community and peer support within fostering.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high standard of practice.

You will also need:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.

• Current registration with Social Work England.

• Strong IT skills.

• Knowledge of the Eclipse system would be advantageous.

• A full driving licence and access to a car, with the ability to travel as required.

To apply for this role, you will need to hold:

• A minimum of 6 months' experience working in the UK as a registered Social Worker.

• A relevant Social Work qualification.

• Current registration with Social Work England.

• An Enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service, or be happy to apply for one.

• 3 years of referencing history.

• A full driving licence and access to a car.

Why register with Hoop Social Work?

• 20+ years' experience in the social work market.

• A specialist Social Work recruitment team with opportunities across South West England and Wales

• Exclusive roles and early access to new opportunities.

• PAYE or Umbrella payroll options.

• Twice-weekly payroll.

• A dedicated consultant as your main point of contact, with wider team support when needed.

• Earn £200 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 smooth and straightforward.

Interested?

Given the nature of the role, we can only consider applications from candidates with a recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.

Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available, so please only apply if you meet these criteria.

Contact Sarah Leigh at Hoop Social Work on 02922 400519 for an informal chat about the role.