The SSW is the professional anchor for each foster family, ensuring that children’s needs stay at the centre while carers feel skilled, supported and safeguarded. Although case management belongs to the child’s own social worker, the SSW shares responsibility for the quality of daily care and is required—by regulation and by Positive Aspirations policy—to act when concerns arise.
1 | Primary responsibilities
| Focus | What this means in practice |
| Child-centred oversight | If the SSW sees or hears anything that suggests a child is unsafe or receiving sub-standard care, they must raise it immediately with their line-manager and, if urgent, the safeguarding lead. |
| Supervision & support for carers | Structured supervision visits explore the child’s progress, the carer’s wellbeing, recording, training and any delegated-authority issues. The SSW ensures the carer understands and follows regulations, standards and agency policies. |
| Two-way liaison | The SSW keeps both the Local Authority (child’s SW, IRO, education, health) and Positive Aspirations’ management informed—so nothing falls through the cracks. |
2 | Visit rhythm and purpose
| Frequency | Type | Key elements |
| Every 4 weeks | Formal supervision visit (agenda-led) | Review Care Plan implementation, SPARK achievements, training, safer caring, finance, self-care. Ideally without children present so carers can speak freely. |
| Every 4 weeks (alternating) | Supervisory home visit | Spend time with foster children and birth children, observe routines, update risk assessment. Children are spoken with privately at least once every 8 weeks. |
| At least 2× per year | Unannounced visit | Spot-check environment, do mini health-and-safety walk-through, verify recording. |
| Within 72 h of a new placement | Placement-start visit | Check bedroom, ensure Child’s Guide given, explain complaints routes, schedule Placement Planning Meeting (within 7 working days). |
| First 6 months of new approval | Enhanced frequency | Weekly or fortnightly as agreed, to coach new carers through early challenges. |
3 | Recording standards
- All contacts are entered on the agency pro-forma, signed by SSW and counter-signed by the Team Manager.
- Supervision notes are shared with carers for signature so everyone owns the action points.
- Purpose of each visit is clearly labelled (e.g., “Supervision”, “LAC-Review support”).
- Incident/Allegation forms reach the office same day and the Team Manager/director is alerted.
4 | Building relationships with children
- Foster and birth children are seen and spoken with at least every eight weeks.
- SSWs aim to spend time with the child away from the home (walk to park, café chat) so the child can speak freely about wishes and feelings.
- Direct phone contact for children can be offered; decision recorded in Safer-Caring Plan.
5 | Supporting carers’ development
- Each SSW helps carers draft and review the Personal Development Plan and tracks mandatory-training refreshers.
- Positive Aspirations’ Therapeutic Mentor provides regular practice forums so SSWs can reflect on trauma-informed supervision, newest research and legislation, then cascade learning to carers.
6 | Reviews, meetings and reports
- Six-month and annual foster-carer reviews – SSW collates evidence, gathers stakeholder feedback, summarises strengths and growth areas.
- Local Authority meetings – SSW attends Placement Planning Meetings, Case Conferences, Strategy Meetings and LAC Reviews (or arranges cover).
- Early review trigger: Serious incident, allegation or major household change requires an interim review.
7 | Availability and cover
- Carers hold the SSW’s mobile and office numbers and agree “best-time-to-call” windows.
- When the SSW is off-duty, phone diverts to a colleague or the main line; carers are never left without professional contact for more than half a working day.
8 | New carers and first placements
- SSW is allocated before a child is placed; first visit ideally within a few days of approval to go through the Foster Care Agreement and health-and-safety basics.
- During the first placement, visit frequency stays high until the six-month review confirms stability.
9 | Training and supervision for SSWs
Permanent SSWs receive clinical supervision, safeguarding updates and access to CPD. They are expected to model the learning culture we ask of carers.
In essence: the Supervising Social Worker is the bridge between foster family, child’s professional network and Positive Aspirations—championing the child, equipping the carer and ensuring that every home stays safe, skilled and spark-nurturing.
For full procedural detail see the Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Policy available from your Team Manager or the secure portal.
