Hi, I am Kgaladi, Team Manager in the Fostering Team. I lead a team of vibrant, dynamic and creative Supervising and Assessing Social Workers and Placement Officers who are enthusiastic about our work with foster carers and children.

We are warm, welcoming and supportive of each other. We value learning from each other through different forums including peer supervision. We offer our foster carers robust support which is rooted in therapeutic, and trauma informed as well as systemic approaches.

A team member shared this experience of working for Bedford - " I have found Bedford Borough to be a really warm, friendly and welcoming Local Authority. It is a smaller Local Authority than others I have worked in, so I have found it far more personable. Those in the most senior positions, take time to stop and ask how you are and show genuine concern for their staff members. Everyone seems to know each other, so there is always someone who is willing to offer support, friendship or just someone to grab lunch or a cuppa with”.

We have an exciting opportunity to join Bedford Borough Council’s Corporate Parenting Service as a Social Work Assistant in the Fostering Team.

The role involves working alongside Advanced Practitioner to support Family Finding and Permanency work. You will be expected to work directly with children looked after to support and prepare them for their long-term care (Special Guardianship, Connected Person).

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If your application is successful you will be required to declare any spent and unspent convictions, adult cautions (simple or conditional) that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Closing date 23rd May 2024 - Interviews 30th May 2024. 

How to apply
Please upload a current CV and a document detailing how you meet the selection criteria for the role.  The selection criteria can be found in the job profile below.  Optional CV and selection criteria templates are provided below.  If you do not upload both documents the panel may be unable to score your application.

Armed Forces Covenant
Bedford borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for.
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/your-council/about-council/armed-forces

Disabled applicants

Bedford Borough Council is  a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for.

https://www.bedford.gov.uk/jobs/more-information-and-how-apply/information-and-guidance-applying-council-vacancies/disability