Family Practitioner (Fostering)

As a Family Practitioner in the West Fostering Team, you will provide supervision, guidance, training, and practical support to foster carers, helping them create safe and nurturing homes for children in care.

Working closely with carers, colleagues, and partner teams, you will manage a varied caseload, respond to challenges and enquiries, contribute to service development, and play a key role in ensuring foster carers receive the support they need to achieve the best outcomes for children. You'll be part of a friendly, experienced, and high-performing team committed to helping every child and young person thrive.

What you'll do:

Provide supervision, guidance, training, and practical support to foster carers, helping them to develop their skills and provide safe, nurturing homes for children in care. Take a lead role in responding to foster carer provision and payment enquiries, working closely with payments colleagues to resolve issues. Manage a varied caseload, responding to both planned support needs and crisis situations. Prepare high-quality reports and contribute to Fostering Panels, household reviews, and planning meetings to support effective decision-making. Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies, participating in the team duty rota and helping to identify suitable placements for children. Contribute to service improvement by maintaining accurate records, analysing performance information, supporting process development, and championing safeguarding, equality, and inclusion in all aspects of your work.

Experience of supporting foster carers, children in care, and working effectively within multi-agency and multi-disciplinary teams. Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and the legislation, regulations, and standards that underpin fostering services and children's social care. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage confidently with foster carers, colleagues, children, and partner agencies. Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, use initiative, and produce clear, accurate records and reports. A commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children, championing inclusive practice, continuous improvement, and collaborative team working.

Make a real difference to the lives of children in care across Hampshire. Join a supportive team that values collaboration and professional development. Flexible working options, including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid working. Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice. Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.