Fostering Assessment Social Worker

Grade: PO1-PO4 £42,492 - £53,919 Full Time & Part-Time/Fixed Term Contract (April 2027) Closing Date 08/11/2026 Directorate: Children's Organisation : London Borough of Waltham Forest Salary: PO1-PO4 £42,492 - £53,919 (pro rata for part-time) Salary will be determined in accordance with the pay policy and relevant experience; candidates with significant post-qualifying and fostering assessment experience may be considered for appointment at the upper end of the grade range. Retention Bonus: £2,000 per annum (subject to eligibility requirements) Contract Type: Full-time/ Part-time/ Fixed Term Contract (05/04/2027) with potential to extend Working hours per week: 36 (part time arrangements are available) Application Deadline: 08/11/2026 Proposed Interview Date(s): W/C 16/11/2026 Reference: 2214 About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is a proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment. The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative application method. About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to join the regional recruitment and assessment team, working across Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest to recruit, assess and support prospective foster carers. The successful candidates will play a key role in delivering high-quality fostering assessments, supporting applicants through the assessment process, contributing to foster carer preparation and training, and helping to ensure more children across northeast London have access to safe, stable and nurturing foster homes. >> Click here to download the Role Profile << Key Responsibilities: Undertake comprehensive, evidence-based fostering assessments from allocation through to panel and recommendation. Plan and manage all stages of the assessment process, including visits, interviews, checks, references and evidence gathering within agreed timescales. Assess applicants, household members, significant adults and support networks to evaluate suitability to foster. Analyse parenting capacity, safeguarding awareness, protective care, family relationships, diversity, identity, birth family contact and ability to meet children's needs. Apply professional curiosity and sound judgement to explore discrepancies, test evidence, assess risk and identify safeguarding concerns. Evaluate references, statutory checks and agency information, triangulating evidence to inform balanced recommendations. Provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the process, including preparation for panel and understanding outcomes and next steps. Work collaboratively with agencies, partners and stakeholders to gather information, promote high standards and improve outcomes for children with care experience. Support the preparation and delivery of foster carer training, including identifying development needs and contributing to training materials and learning activities. Qualifications and Requirements: To be considered for this position, you should meet the following requirements: Relevant professional social work qualification and current Social Work England registration. Knowledge of child development, attachment, development