Practice Supervisor - Fostering Service (3 Posts)

Salary details: £ - £

Make a real positive difference in the lives of children and families – Apply to become a Practice Supervisor in Derbyshire’s Fostering service!

Derbyshire is a large authority divided into six localities: Amber Valley, Chesterfield, Erewash, High Peak (Buxton, Glossop, New Mills, and Matlock), Bolsover and North-East, and South Derbyshire.

Our Fostering Service operates across High Peak, South Derbyshire, Northeast Derbyshire & Chesterfield and is made up of the following teams:

• Contract Care and Disability Fostering Team – Inclusive of Foster Family Support and Family  Finding
• Mainstream Fostering Assessment and Support Team – Inclusive of Retention and Training 
• Kinship Team – Inclusive of Kinship Assessment, Support and SGO Post Support

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for 3 Practice Supervisors within the Fostering Service – We have the following positions available:

1 x Post within Fostering Support North and Foster Carer Recruitment Team –The primary aspect of this role is to provide practical supervision (inclusive of Group and 1:1 supervision) to a team of Supervising Social Workers who supervise and support our Foster Carers based in the Northeast Derbyshire, Chesterfield and High Peak Area,  alongside a Team of countywide Social workers completing assessments of potential foster carers – The role also includes assisting the Team Manager in the efficient and effective delivery of the service -  The successful applicants will be based at County Hall in Matlock.

1 x Fixed term,  6 month post in Fostering Support South and Training, Development and Retention Team – The primary aspect of this role is to provide practical supervision to a team of Supervising Social Workers who supervise and support our Foster Carers based in the South of the County alongside the workers within Training, Development and Retention Team-  Again this is inclusive of Group & 1:1 supervision as well and assisting the Team Manager in the efficient and effective delivery of the service -  Again the successful applicant will be based at County Hall in Matlock.

1 x Post within the County Wide Kinship Assessment Team - The successful applicant will also be based at County Hall in Matlock.  The primary focus of the role is to offer practical case supervision (group and 1:1) to a Team of Social Workers responsible for competing Kinship care Assessments (Fostering & SGO) as well as assisting the manager in the efficient and effective delivery of the service.  The role is fundamental in supporting and valuing our Kinship carers and creating safe and stable homes for children and their families.

The successful applicants will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and verbal- They will also need to demonstrate the ability to work as part of the wider management team and contribute to the monitoring of best practice in line with current Research, Legislation, Statutory Guidance, Standards and Policy- The role will also involve contributing to monthly performance meetings aimed to monitor and improve practice and outcomes for Derbyshire children.

The successful candidates will contribute to the continuous learning and development of Fostering Social Work practice across the county including the development, delivery and evaluation of training   We are looking for applicants who will be committed to working in partnership with carers to implement the principles of therapeutic parenting and ensure children in Derbyshire are able to safely live in homes which understand and meet their individual needs. 

The successful applicants will themselves be supported through reflective case and personal supervision.

Derbyshire County Council is ambitious and innovative, offering support to it's  Workers. We provide a nurturing environment with excellent progression opportunities. Our vision is to inspire and empower children, young people, and their families to be the best they can be.

What can you expect from us?

We value your hard work and commitment, offering a comprehensive package that includes:

• Achievable case loads
• Access to training and development opportunities
• Excellent supervision and a supportive peer network
• Effective leadership and management
• Career progression and formal qualifications opportunities
• Diverse range of cases for a rewarding career

 Enjoy being a part of our team with benefits such as:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Derbyshire Rewards - Discounts from high street retailers and more
• Generous annual leave and flexi time scheme
• Travel expenses
• Free car parking at most sites
• In-house counselling service
• Occupational Health service
• Access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist
• Cycle to work scheme
• Various Employee Networks championing inclusivity across the council

Make a real positive difference in the lives of children and families – join Derbyshire County Council today.

Provisional  Interview Dates:  08 August 2025

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.