Job Description

Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us .
Social Worker - Children in Care
The Children in Care / Care Leaving Service provides assessment, support and care planning for children and young people 0-18 years including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who are in the care of the Local Authority. The Children in Care and Care Leaving Service is responsible for the provision of high-quality care and placements for vulnerable children and young people and delivers support and planning to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children who are in our care. The Children in Care and Care Leaving Service also provides support for young people aged 16-25 including Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, to support and prepare young people to be able to live fulfilling and independent lives.
Operational area
Windsor and Maidenhead
Primary place of work
Maidenhead Town Hall, SL6 1LF
Appointment type
Fixed Term
Length of contract
12 months
Business area
Children's Social Care
Full time/Part time
Full-time
Salary from
44,799 (G8.49)
Salary to
48,932 (G8.52)
Hours
37
Estimated Interview date/s
16/09/2025
Closing Date
15/09/2025
Job Reference
2112
Documents
(PDF, 312.32kb)
About the role
The Social Work Practitioner - CIC is to pursue the best possible outcomes for children and young people through good value arrangements, secure stability and permanence for vulnerable children and young people and to safeguard and promote the welfare of our vulnerable young people. They will manage an agreed caseload of children and young people in compliance with casework objectives, statutory and departmental policy and procedural requirements, consistently maintaining the highest level of professional standards, including the most complex cases.

• The Social Work practitioner will undertake direct social work responsibilities as an allocated worker to the children , young people and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children assigned, driving long term care planning, focus being on stability and supporting our young people to achieve their full potential.
• Duties will also include investigating concerns regarding a child or young person's safety or wellbeing, make an assessment of the risk and protective factors in the family and decide on the most appropriate course of action to improve outcomes for children.
• The Practitioner will ensure that they provide high quality reports which can also be within the Court arena, they will support and prepare workers in the Court process, including giving evidence as required.
• The practitioner can also take lead on specialist areas to aid service improvement directed by the Team Manager or Associate Director of Corporate Parenting. The Social Work Practitioner will maintain an awareness of own professional limitations and knowledge gaps.
• To make effective use of supervision and appraisal as an opportunity to critically reflect on casework and to identify learning and development needs to continually improve upon practice; and to support continual professional development.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role please contact Laura Roche via
About you

• Educated to a degree level with a relevant professional qualification in social work.
• Active Social Work England registration and proven evidence of continuing professional development.
• Strong knowledge and experience of supporting children within the of the legal framework relating to Safeguarding, Children in Care and Asylum-seeking children.
• Expert knowledge of relevant theory that informs practice delivery.
• Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families.
• Advocating the voices of those we are working with.
• Experience of keeping and maintaining records (in accordance with local policy) and producing accurate reports, presentations, written updates to a range of stakeholders (which may include families, children or young people).
• Experience of addressing specific equality or diversity issues within

About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
• Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• A range of staff benefits and discounts
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children . For our social work offer . For our Recruitment Journey,
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Skills Required