What does a foster home supervisor do? – Tasks and work environment
A foster home supervisor works to support, guide, and follow up with foster families who receive children or young people who, for various reasons, cannot stay in their original homes. Tasks include regular home visits, conversations, documentation, and acting as a link between the foster family, social services, and sometimes biological parents. The role requires a good ability to build trust, resolve conflicts, and work independently. The work environment is often varied; some time is spent in an office, while a significant portion takes place in the field through home visits and meetings, sometimes outside regular working hours.
Salary development over time
The salary for foster home supervisors has shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,100 SEK per month, increasing to 29 400 in 2023 – an increase of about 8.5%. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 30 200, corresponding to a growth of 2.7% compared to the previous year. The total increase from 2022 to 2024 is therefore close to 11.4%. The salary development reflects the increasing demand for skills in the profession and that the role increasingly requires specialized knowledge and experience. Additionally, general investments in healthcare and social care personnel have contributed to this trend.
Foster home supervisor salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 26,500 SEK/month (female, public sector, lower education)
- Highest salary: 41,700 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, research education)
- Lowest salary for men: 26,800 SEK/month
- Highest salary for men: 35,600 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 181 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 30 400 SEK (102% of men's salary, 29 800 SEK)
- Regional differences: No specific statistics available
Education and qualifications
To work as a foster home supervisor, a degree in social work, such as a social worker degree, or equivalent experience in social and care professions is usually required. Employers often seek experience in social work, especially with children and youth, as well as knowledge of authority procedures and foster placements. The education can be supplemented with various courses or certifications in conversation techniques, supervision, and relevant legislation.
- Formal degree: A 3.5-year social worker degree is most common
- Additional courses: Supervision, conversation techniques, child protection
- Practical experience: Work experience from social services or similar is often required
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, sometimes higher education
- Tips: Experience working with families and children is highly meritorious
Many foster home supervisors testify that no day is the same. The role can involve both urgent interventions and long-term support, which requires flexibility and good organizational skills. It is common to work both day and evening hours to meet the needs of families.
Common benefits and compensations
Foster home supervisors are often covered by collective agreements with benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, and subsidized healthcare. Many employers also offer skills development, supervision, and flexible working hours. Compensation for unsocial hours or on-call duties may also be provided depending on the workplace setup.
Competition and challenges
The job market for foster home supervisors is relatively stable but challenged by high workload and sometimes difficult cases. Since the profession is part of the broader group of other healthcare and social care personnel, there is competition for positions, especially in larger municipalities where demand is high. Challenges include managing complex family situations, working with authority procedures, and providing the support foster families need. Both emotional resilience and the ability to work systematically are required. Lack of access to specialized further training can sometimes make it harder to handle more advanced cases.
Tips for those who want to become a foster home supervisor
To succeed as a foster home supervisor, good communication skills and the ability to build trust in difficult conversations are important. Being flexible and able to adapt to unexpected situations facilitates a rapidly changing workday. A high degree of empathy and responsiveness is crucial for understanding the needs of both children and foster families. At the same time, structure and thoroughness in documentation and authority procedures are necessary. Patience and the ability to handle stressful situations help when working with families in crisis. Initiative and independence are valuable qualities when decision-making occurs on-site. Finally, it is important to dare to seek support and supervision when difficult questions arise.
Key facts about Foster Home Supervisor
- Salary range: 26,500–41,700 SEK/month
- Average salary: 30 200 SEK/month
- Educational requirement: Degree in social work or equivalent experience
- Typical work arrangement: Full-time, often daytime but with some evening work
- Number of job openings in the profession: 375
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years of experience as a foster home supervisor, there are opportunities to advance to more specialized roles within social services, such as foster care consultant, unit manager, or trainer for new employees. Some choose to further their education in child and youth care or pursue management positions within municipal operations. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for the profession due to limited data, but demand across the broader group of healthcare and social care personnel remains stable. Good opportunities for employment are available, especially for those with social work experience and further education.
Frequently asked questions about Foster Home Supervisor
- What is the average salary for a foster home supervisor?
- A foster home supervisor has an average monthly salary of 30 200 SEK.
- What are the highest and lowest salaries for a foster home supervisor?
- The highest salary is 41,700 SEK and the lowest 26,500 SEK per month.
- Are there salary differences between women and men?
- Yes, women earn on average 30 400 SEK, which is 102% of men's average salary of 29 800 SEK.
- What education is required to become a foster home supervisor?
- A degree in social work or equivalent experience in social services is most common.
- What is the job market like for foster home supervisors?
- There are 375 job openings, and demand is stable.
- Does a foster home supervisor work during daytime or unsocial hours?
- Mainly during daytime, but evening and weekend work can occur.
- What personal qualities are important in this profession?
- Good communication skills, empathy, flexibility, and the ability to work independently are central.
