Accessing Social Worker - Recruitment & Assessment Team Fostering

To be successful in this role, we are looking for a candidate with substantial experience in fostering, children's social care, or permanency planning, who has excellent assessment, analytical and report-writing skills. You will be confident in undertaking comprehensive Form F assessments, gathering, and analysing complex information, and making balanced evidence-based recommendations. The successful candidate will demonstrate a sound understanding of fostering legislation, safeguarding, child development, attachment, and trauma-informed practice. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, alongside the ability to challenge appropriately, maintain professional curiosity, and work effectively with prospective foster carers from diverse backgrounds.

For an Assessing Social Worker completing a Form F assessment for prospective foster carers, the key skills go far beyond gathering information. The role requires balancing assessment, analysis, relationship-building, and safeguarding to determine whether applicants can safely and effectively meet children's needs.

Key skills and working

• Professional curiosity.
• Analytical thinking.
• Risk assessment.
• Relationship-based practice.
• Trauma-informed understanding.
• Child-centred focus.
• Excellent report writing.
• Sound professional judgement.
• Knowledge of fostering legislation and standards.
• Ability to make clear, evidence-based recommendations within recommended timescales.
• Ability to confidently present assessments both verbally and in writing.
• Willing to participate in recruitment events and undertake initial home visits

In practice, the most effective Form F Assessors combine strong relationship-building skills with rigorous analysis, ensuring that the child's needs remain at the centre of every recommendation.

AG0651 Fostering Social Worker.pdf