Kinship Support Team

We also manage private foster arrangements. This means we assess the care provided to children who are being privately fostered and monitor the ongoing arrangement. This can include children who are in the UK from overseas as part of educational provision, children in the UK as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and children who are residing with non-relatives for any other reasons.

We also support all children and families who are living with a Special Guardianship Order (SGO).  This can look like targeted support, financial support and managing family time. SGOs are visited four times a year in the first year and can contact the team for advice, support and guidance at any time. 

Where we are based

We are based on the 2nd Floor in the Barbican Wing at Shire Hall in Gloucester.

Who we are

Our team structure consists of a team manager, deputy team manager, four full time social workers, four part time social workers and four family support workers.

Skills you'll need

Within the Kinship Support team, we work with carers in a therapeutic way to assist with their understanding of the children’s needs in light of their experiences. Social workers are required to build positive relationships with their carers, as well as offer challenge when issues arise such as not meeting national minimum standards.

Why you should join us

As a team we come from a variety of backgrounds meaning we bring our expertise from various areas of children's services. Since joining the team everyone has been welcoming and keen to share their knowledge. The team are very supportive of each other and although we have recently gone through a split from a much larger team and a change in management, we have felt listened to through the experience with our requests around smooth transitions being taken on.

We can make long-term connections with the families we support and the importance or building good relationships and communication is key to our roles.

We also have a mix of disciplines in our team, with family support workers and social workers coming together to provide best practice.

There is also the opportunity to get involved in some of the more niche areas of social work practice, learning new areas of legislation and guidance.

The team are very supportive and encourage career development and growth. 

Get in touch

We'd love to tell you more!
Our Head of Service and Service Manager are always keen to talk about any aspects of fostering and children in care and would welcome any contact.

✉ Email: Tammy.wheatley@gloucestershire.gov.uk 
✉ Email: Lisa.long@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

Or

✉ Email: CSWrecruitment@gloucestershire.gov.uk