Form F Assessor

Company Description

Hope Fostering is a small and independent fostering agency located in Nottinghamshire. We aim to provide the highest quality care for our children and young people by placing their welfare at the centre of our practice.

Job Description: 

To contribute to the provision of the fostering service for children by assessing prospective foster carers. 

Form F Assessors undertake assessments for Hope Fostering on a self-employed basis. We require individuals with the necessary skills and experience to undertake detailed home studies of prospective foster carers and to write high quality assessment reports.  

• Plan and carry out home study assessments with prospective carers, using the BAAF Form F format.  
• Agree and work within timelines of the agency and meet those deadlines.  
• Help prospective foster carers to contribute to their own assessments as much as possible. 

. • Work in an open and honest manner that offers feedback to prospective foster carers regarding their progress of their assessments, including any difficulties.  

• Identify when prospective foster carers are not suitable for the agency.  
• Discuss the progress of assessments with the Registered or Team Manager of Hope Fostering.  
• Produce a detailed, high quality written report that is well evidenced and offers social worker analysis around the applicants demonstrating their suitability to foster.  
• Present applicants to the agency’s fostering panel.  
• Adhere to the agency’s standards of confidentiality.  
• Check DBS documentation, & health and safety risk assessment and other related documentation on behalf of the agency.  
• To complete personal references, ex partners and other references that may be required to ensure that checks have been verified and explored as far as possible regarding the applicants’ suitability to foster for Hope Fostering. 

Key Tasks: 

• Assess and prepare prospective foster carers  

• Counsel out those applicants not suitable for the agency  

• Prepare Form F reports for panel  

• Present assessments to fostering panel 

Person Specification:  

• Social work qualification (CQSW, Dips, CSS or equivalent) and registration with SW England  

• Able and willing to keep abreast of developments in family placement social work  

• Experience of childcare social work.  

• Knowledge of child protection 

• An understanding of competency-based methods of assessment. 

• Knowledge of foster care and issues for looked after children.  

• An understanding of the role of independent fostering agencies.  

• Full driving license and use of a car.  

• Excellent assessment and report writing skills  

• IT skills  

• Excellent communication skills 

Additional Expectations: 

• All staff will subscribe to the ethos and ethical values upheld by Hope Fostering 
• All staff are expected to comply with Health and Safety regulations and guidance in the course of employment 
• All staff are expected to comply with the agency’s equality and diversity policy 
• The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check