Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in a council that champions children, empowers social workers and puts learning at the heart of everything we do?
We have an exciting opportunity in our Family Placement Team for a Social Worker on a full-time, permanent basis.
Our Children’s Social Care service is proudly Outstanding in all areas (Ofsted, December 2025), with inspectors calling our practitioners "effusive about working in Bracknell" and praising our highly effective Social Work Academy.
About You
* As a Children’s Social Worker, you are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people and share our commitment to making a real difference in their lives. You understand that social work can be both rewarding and challenging and you bring resilience, empathy and professionalism to your practice.
* You are a strong communicator who values collaboration and works effectively with colleagues, carers and partner agencies. You are confident in undertaking assessments, presenting information clearly and making balanced, child-focused recommendations. You are also committed to your own professional development and open to learning, feedback and reflective practice.
* Most importantly, you are someone who values being part of a supportive team, someone who both contributes to and benefits from a culture of peer support, shared learning and mutual respect.
About the Team
The Family Placement Team is a small, welcoming and highly supportive team where strong working relationships are key. We recognise that our work can be complex, so we prioritise peer support, open communication and shared problem-solving.
We work closely with children’s social workers and other professionals to ensure that vulnerable children receive the best possible care and support. Our team is responsible for assessing prospective foster carers, special guardians, connected persons and private foster carers, as well as contributing to foster carer recruitment and delivering training to support carers in their role.
You will be part of a team that values quality practice and takes pride in ensuring children are placed locally with suitable carers whenever possible. With supportive managers, knowledgeable colleagues and dedicated administrative support, you will have the time and space to focus on meaningful work and build strong relationships with those you support.
Our workforce tells us:
* There is a supportive and approachable leadership and management team.
* All teams offer each other good peer support, there is a strong focus on shared problem solving.
* They feel appreciated and their development is prioritised.
* Supervision is of high quality, reflective and routinely provided.
* Together, we create an environment where everyone is encouraged to grow, share expertise and continuously improve the services we provide.
Key Responsibilities
* To undertake viability and full assessments of prospective applicant’s suitability to become foster carers, special guardians, connected person foster carers and private foster carers.
* To present all relevant items at foster panel or court (depending on the nature of each case).
* To contribute to the recruitment of prospective foster carers by responding to enquiries received and by completing initial screening visits to determine suitability for assessment.
* To provide training to prospective and existing foster carers as per the needs of the service.
* To ensure that children are placed locally within our available foster carers.
* The role will enable you to continually develop your skills and knowledge, as well as contribute to the ongoing improvement of the services and support we deliver.
To learn more about what it is like to work with us, take a look at our workforce video.
If you would like an informal chat or a tour of the office prior to submitting your application, please contact helen.gore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk to arrange a suitable time.
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