Job Description

Children's Social Worker - Kinship & Fostering

Contract:

Permanent

Location:

Hereford

Hours:

37 hours

Salary:

36,363 - 40,777 (plus market supplement of 5,000 per year 41,363 - 45,777)

Relocation package of up to 10,000 available

Welcome payment:

10,000

The role

We would like to welcome a Social Worker with substantial children's social work experience to join our countywide Kinship team. Your role will involve assessing Connected/Kinship Foster Carers and potential Special Guardians, as well as supporting these individuals. Collaborating with colleagues and services your work will enhance placement quality, stability, and support for caregivers.

You should bring prior experience in Children's Services, preferably in Kinship or Fostering, along with expertise in conducting complex assessments for Court/Foster Panel, and a strong background in safeguarding. You must understand regulatory requirements in relation to Kinship care. Excellent assessment skills are essential, with the ability to provide analytical comprehensive reports within set timescales.

Kinship is a specialist team within our broader fostering service, focusing on assessment of connected person foster carers and Special Guardians, and the support and supervision of approved connected foster carers. We also cover private fostering and offer ongoing support to Special Guardians post-order.We are a dedicated team, passionate about improving the lives of our children and young people, and ensuring Kinship carers receive the support and recognition they deserve.

Essentials:

You will be fully qualified (SW Degree, DipSW, or equivalent social work qualification), with a minimum of 3 years' recent experience in a statutory setting, preferably within Kinship & Fostering. You must be registered with Social Work England and you must have a full driving licence with access to a car.

Herefordshire is on a journey and we would like you to be part of our next chapter. This is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact and help improve and protect the children and young people within the county.

We Offer

A competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

Basic Salary

of 08HC 36,363 - 40,777

Market rate supplement

5,000 per year

Welcome payment

10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children's teams

Relocation packages:

support of up to 10,000

Pension

Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)

Professional development:

protected time and budget to support social workers develop themselves and their careers.

Career progression:

clear pathways to progress to senior social worker level

Generous Annual Leave:

31 days' annual leave plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum

Flexible working:

flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working

Employee Assistance Programme:

24/7 access to support and counselling Payment of

professional membership fees

Pick your perks

- our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

PLEASE INCLUDE A DETAILED CV WITH A COVER LETTER IDENTIFYING EXPERIENCE RELEVANT TO THIS ROLE. BRIEF CV's WILL NOT BE SHORTLISTED.

We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the "Disability Confident" scheme. ?*Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, or their families. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant; and
Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We will deliver better support to our most vulnerable children and their families, develop stronger relationships with partners across the region, and beyond. Therefore, we take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 18.31 per hour

Expected hours: 37 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Canteen Company events Company pension Employee mentoring programme Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Relocation assistance Sick pay Transport links
Experience:

Social work for Foster Care: 1 year (required)
Language:

English (required)
Licence/Certification:

Social Work England (required) HCPC (required) Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Location:

Hereford HR4 (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/08/2025
Reference ID: AESN-DNMP-OR10825-014
Expected start date: 30/09/2025