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About The Role
Herefordshire Council
Job Title
Social Worker – Kinship & Fostering
Welcome payment: £10,000
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: HC8 £36,363 – £40,777 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year £41,363 - £45,777)
Relocation package: up to £10,000 available
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 14/09/2025
Come and join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement to gain the best for children and families in Herefordshire.
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.
Curious about what it’s really like to be a Social Worker with us? This short video gives you a glimpse into the heart of our service and shows why Herefordshire Council could be the perfect place for your next career move.
We Offer
* Social Worker starting salary: HC8 £36,363 – £40,777 per annum
* Market rate supplement: plus £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 Pension Scheme (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 (pro rata) plus bank holidays; option to purchase up to 10 extra days
* Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working
* Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support and counselling
* Payment of professional membership fees
* Perks and discounts: access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits
About Us
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county located in the heart of the Marches on the border with Wales. We are one of the most rural and sparsely populated counties in England with a wealth of unspoilt countryside, distinctive heritage, and lively market towns. Our priority is to keep children safe and give them a great start in life, through dynamic, dedicated, professional staff and strong partnerships. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and other pre-employment checks apply. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are flexible on working arrangements.
If you would like an informal conversation to discuss the role, please contact Sarah Gray (Kinship Team Manager) on sarah.gray@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Application process: To apply, submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application form, referring to the job description & person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.
Note: The council is unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas candidates requiring sponsorship should consider other opportunities with us. A full list of vacancies is available here: spiritofherefordshire.com/children-young-people/jobs/
How to Apply and Contact
For more details or an informal chat, contact the Kinship Team Manager, Sarah Gray, at the email above.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Other
Industries: Human Resources Services
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