Job Description

Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC622906
Salary Range: 40,643 - 49,577 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of up to 4,500 per annum
Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 17 December 2025
Interview Date: w/c 5 January 2026
The Role:
As a Social Worker in our Children in Care Team, you'll play a vital role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of care-experienced children. You'll lead on assessments, care planning, and interventions to ensure every child's voice is heard. Working creatively and confidently with multi-agency partners, you'll deliver holistic, child-centred support that makes a real difference.
Managing a varied and complex caseload, you'll build strong, trusting relationships that enable positive change and help achieve the best possible outcomes for children. You'll join a friendly, stable, and supportive team that shares a passion for creating brighter futures. Our strength-based approach focuses on promoting wellbeing and maintaining family connections wherever possible.
What you'll do:

• Carry out comprehensive assessments to understand each child's needs and circumstances.
• Develop and review care plans that reflect the child's needs and wishes.
• Take timely safeguarding action and monitor risks throughout the child's journey.
• Engage in direct work with children to support their emotional and social development.
• Work towards achieving stable and permanent placements for children.
• Collaborate effectively with multi-agency partners and advocate for the child's rights.
• Travel across the country as required to meet in person with children in care.

What we're looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE).
• Solid understanding of key UK legislation governing work with children.
• Experience supporting children and families within statutory frameworks, ideally including children in care and those involved in care proceedings.
• Ability to assess needs, identify risks, and develop effective, outcome-focused plans.
• Strong report-writing skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, confident in multi-agency working.

Take a look at our for more information about the Social Worker role, team and our values. The section 'About you' explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.
Why join us?

• Regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice.
• Flexible working, including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance.
• Career development opportunities, including 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning through our DfE 'Partner in Practice' initiative.
• Dedicated business support team to free up your time for frontline work.
• Up to 8,500 relocation assistance for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information

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Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Child Protection Social Worker, Looked After Children Social Worker, Children's Services Social Worker, Safeguarding Social Worker, Children and Families Social Worker.
Travel Requirements:
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers' licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Additional Information:
Social Worker (Children in Care)
Vetting Requirements:
The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children's Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
For general enquiries, please contact
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Alex Shoetan, Team Manager on
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

Skills Required