Supervising Foster Care Social Worker

Description

Position Summary 

The Supervising Foster Care Social Worker serves as the Foster Family Agency (FFA) Administrator and provides clinical and administrative supervision to assigned staff, ensuring high-quality foster care and Resource Family Approval (RFA) services. This role oversees case practice, placement stability, and permanency planning, including adoption and guardianship, while supporting staff and Resource Families in preparing successful transitions to permanence. The position is responsible for overall program compliance, operations, and adherence to all applicable regulations, documentation standards, and agency expectations. 

Essential Duties 

• Serves as the FFA Administrator in accordance with Interim Licensing Standards (ILS §88264).  
• Maintains overall responsibility for program operations, compliance, and service delivery.  
• Ensures adherence to FFA ILS, Title 22 regulations, and all applicable county, state, and federal requirements (ILS §88222; Title 22 §35021).  
• Maintains program readiness for audits, licensing reviews, and monitoring activities.  
• Oversees implementation of policies, procedures, and systems to ensure consistency and compliance.  
• Ensures appropriate staffing structure, supervision, and service delivery aligned with regulatory requirements (ILS §88265.4; Title 22 §89158).  
• Provides direct supervision, coaching, and oversight to assigned social work staff (ILS §88265.2; Title 22 §89152).  
• Reviews casework to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and agency standards.  
• Oversees staff productivity, caseload distribution, and performance expectations.  
• Conducts regular supervision, case consultations, and performance evaluations.  
• Trains and orients staff in foster care, RFA, and permanency practices (ILS §88265.2).  
• Ensures appropriate assessment, placement, and ongoing supervision of children and nonminor dependents (ILS §88265.4).  
• Reviews Needs and Services Plans, case documentation, and service delivery for quality and compliance.  
• Provides guidance on complex cases, including placement stability and behavioral needs.  
• Ensures consistent use of trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.  
• Oversees RFA assessments, including home environment assessments, family evaluations, and Written Reports (ILS §88331; §88365.2).  
• Reviews and approves RFA documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.  
• Ensures timely completion of approvals, updates, and reassessments.  
• Supports Resource Families in meeting placement and permanency expectations.  
• Provides oversight and consultation on permanency planning, including reunification, guardianship, and adoption.  
• Supports staff and Resource Families in preparing for permanency, including adoptive readiness when appropriate.  
• Ensures permanency-related documentation and case activity are completed in accordance with requirements (ILS §88331.7; Title 22 §35013).  
• Ensures all case files, RFA documentation, and permanency records meet regulatory and audit standards (ILS §88270; §88361.2).  
• Monitors compliance with confidentiality, mandated reporting, and documentation requirements (ILS §88264; Title 22 §35003).  
• Supports audits, reviews, and corrective action efforts.  
• Ensures proper completion and use of required forms and documentation (Title 22 §35001).  
• Coaches staff on case practice, documentation quality, and permanency planning.  
• Builds staff capacity in assessment, engagement, and decision-making (ILS §88365.3).  
• Identifies performance gaps and implements corrective action plans.  
• Maintains effective relationships with DCFS, Probation, adoption partners, and community providers.  
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings and conferences.  
• Supports compliance with staffing ratios and service expectations (ILS §88265.4).  
• Assists with implementation of program improvements and operational changes.  
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Pay Range: $80,000 - $90,000 annually.

Requirements

Education / Experience Required? 

• Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field permitted under California FFA Interim Licensing Standards.  
• Meets all qualification requirements for Social Work Supervisor under applicable regulations.  
• Minimum three (3) years of full-time social work or casework experience in child welfare, foster care, family services, or a related field.  
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and overseeing casework practice.  
• Knowledge of foster care regulations, Resource Family Approval (RFA), and permanency planning practices.  
• Strong understanding of documentation standards, compliance requirements, and quality assurance processes. 
• Two (2)+ years of experience in a licensed foster family agency, homefinding, or adoption agency.  
• Direct experience coordinating adoptions for foster youth or nonminor dependents.  
• Knowledge of Adoption Assistance Program (AAP), Medi-Cal eligibility, and nonrecurring adoption expense reimbursement.  
• Experience with Written Reports, home studies, and permanency assessments.  
• Experience working with county child welfare agencies and adoption units.  
• Bilingual (Spanish or other threshold language) strongly preferred.  

Clearances and Requirements  

• Must successfully clear DOJ and FBI fingerprint checks.? 
• Must be at least 21 years of age.? 
• Valid California driver’s license and current auto insurance.? 
• Travel to resource family homes, county meetings, and programs offices as needed.