The role of social workers in the fostering system
Within the fostering system there are two roles for social workers – the supervising social worker and the local authority social worker.
The supervising social worker works for the fostering service. The roles of the supervising social worker may include:
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Recruitment: Some supervising social workers are involved in the recruitment of foster carers. This may be face to face events or online recruitment.
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The supervising social worker may complete assessments and at this stage may also be referred to as the ‘assessing social worker’.
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Supervising social workers provide training to fostering applicants and approved foster carers. The social workers also monitor and review attendance at training.
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A qualified social worker is required to sit on fostering panel and may also be advisor to panel members.
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Supervising social workers ensure that foster carers are offering best possible care to the children in the fostering homes and that appropriate guidance is given when required.
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Supervising social workers attend some of the review meetings for children, such as education and health reviews.
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Supervising social workers ensure that accurate records are kept in respect of the foster carers and children.
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Supervising social workers complete regular reviews of the foster carers. If a foster carer isn’t offering appropriate support to the children, they may be offered further training, additional support, or may be deregistered from fostering.
Local authority social workers are also called ‘children’s social workers’. The role of the local authority social worker is to support the child and ensure that the service provided by the fostering family and the fostering service meets the needs of the child. The local authority social worker leads on the work completed by the team around the child. Where children’s services have parental responsibility of a child, the local authority social worker can delegate authority to foster carers and make decisions for the child.
