Children's Social Work Manager - Assessment & Support - North
Contract: Permanent | Location: Leominster | Hours: 37 hours | Salary: 11HC £51,356 - £55,915 plus market supplement of £5,000 per year (£56,356 - £60,915). Welcome payment: £10,000. Closing Date: 31st May 2026.
The Assessment and Support service is made up of three teams working from three locality offices: South (Ross-on-Wye), North (Leominster) and Central (Hereford). Each team includes a Team Manager, Senior Practitioner, Social Workers, and Family Support Workers. Locality working enables you to stay connected, meet new colleagues, and easily access support.
We are proud of our restorative approach to social work – a way of working firmly embedded in our culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice. Senior managers are available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.
About the Role
As a qualified social worker with management or supervisory experience – perhaps a Senior Practitioner or Advanced Practitioner – you will lead the Assessment Team in Leominster. You will manage a team who work directly with children and families, rotating duties as required. Your responsibilities include completing robust short‑term quality assessments of need, ensuring appropriate service provision, allocating and prioritising workloads, and developing your team to provide an effective and efficient service. You will be responsible for the team plan, meeting objectives and ensuring performance targets are achieved.
You should be fully qualified (DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in statutory social care. Demonstrable skills in assessment, report writing and managing complex cases will support you in improving the lives of children and families within Herefordshire.
About You
* Passionate about making a difference to children and families through high‑quality assessments and early intervention.
* Skilled in analysis, planning and decision‑making, ensuring each child's needs are clearly understood and effectively met.
* Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively and creatively with families and partner agencies.
* Resilient, reflective and confident in managing complex situations and making sound professional judgments.
* Able to thrive in a supportive, fast‑paced team environment, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
* Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW).
We Offer
* Competitive salary: 11HC £51,356‑£55,915 plus market supplement of £5,000 per year.
* Relocation package: support of up to £10,000.
* Welcome payment: £10,000 for experienced social workers joining the children’s teams.
* Pension scheme: enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Professional development: protected time and budget to support career growth.
* Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
* Generous annual leave: 31 days’ annual leave pro‑rata plus bank holidays; option to purchase 10 additional days per annum.
* Flexible working: flexi‑time, job‑share, part‑time hours and, where possible, home working.
* Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support and counselling.
* Professional membership fees: covered.
* Pick your perks: access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cash back and discounts.
Reasonable Adjustments
* Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please email [email protected].
* If shortlisted for interview and requiring any adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will support you.
Commitments and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post:
* Those who indicate a disability – part of our commitment to the Disability Confident scheme.
* Those who indicate an Armed Forces veteran or reservist – part of our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant.
* Those who indicate a Herefordshire care leaver – part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously. If offered the position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks.
How to Apply
Upload an up‑to‑date CV and complete the online application form, demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Include reference to this job description and person specification. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the recruitment team via email to arrange interviews and/or assessments.
Contact email: [email protected]
Note: The council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas candidates requiring sponsorship should not apply. For other opportunities that may offer sponsorship, please see the council’s vacancy list at https://spiritofherefordshire.com/children-young-people/jobs/.
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