Senior Practice Consultant

​Salary: £42,630 – 47,705 + £2,000 uplift + London Weighting if eligible
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Can be based in any of our four offices (London, Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow) or from home. Occasional travel to London to meet the wider team will be required.

Who we are
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, dedicated to empowering, enriching and supporting the relationships at the heart of the fostering community.

Who we are looking for
We are on the lookout for an experienced fostering social worker to participate in and to help lead our Practice function. You will be a proactive, effective communicator, with excellent interpersonal skills and experience of or a desire to oversee the practice of others. You will bring sound knowledge of fostering legislation and guidance and a range of experiences across fostering practice. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll be doing
The Senior Practice Consultant will provide line management to members of the Practice Team, whilst also contributing to the key services of Advice, Advocacy and Mediation, Training and Practice Consultancy Services.

The primary objectives of the role are:

1. Provide line management to a team of Practice Consultants, delivering practice services across the UK, line managing the delivery of exceptional practice advice, advocacy and mediation, learning and development and consultancy to enhance and improve fostering for all.
2. Contributing to the organisation’s income generation activities through the direct hands-on delivery of practice services.
3. Provide specialist input into the development of fostering policy and practice across the UK ensuring The Fostering Network maintains its role as a sector leader and continues to provide high quality support and advice to its members. 
4. Assist with the creation of The Fostering Networks’ publications portfolio. 
5. To act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
6. Work in collaboration with the Head of Membership and relevant wider stakeholders to build relationships, deliver our membership offer, exploring opportunities to enhance it and to incorporate our practice consultancy offer.

At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the job description you’re reading. Even if you don't feel that you meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

What we can offer you

• 38 days leave (including bank holidays)
• A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
• Pension and life assurance
• Contribution to eye tests and lenses
• Season ticket loans

Our commitments to you
The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit.

• If you identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant
• If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process
• We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share

Looking for more information?
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Corrie Biddle UK Director of Practice and Innovation.

You can also find more information about us on our website.

Ready to apply?
To apply please email your completed application form to us. CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date: Monday 24th February  11.59pm
Shortlisting date: Tuesday 25th February
Interview date: Tuesday 4th March 
Interview location: London (Southwark) or remotely – to be confirmed.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Fostering Network Registered office 87 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA 
Registered charity in England and Wales 280852 and in Scotland SC039338 Registered in England and Wales as a limited company no. 1507277 
VAT Registration 231 6335 90