Social worker (children in care)

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Job Reference: HCC624346
Salary Range:£40,643 - £45,077 per annum, plus Market Supplement of up to £6,750 per annum, dependent on experience
Work Location: Havant Plaza, Havant (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Temporary (12 months)
Closing Date: 22 June 2026
Interview Date: 29 June 2026

The Role:

As a Social Worker in our Children in Care Team, you’ll play a vital role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of care‑experienced children. You’ll lead on assessments, care planning, and interventions to ensure every child’s voice is heard. Working creatively and confidently with multi‑agency partners, you’ll deliver holistic, child‑centred support that makes a real difference.

Managing a varied and complex caseload, you’ll build strong, trusting relationships that enable positive change and help achieve the best possible outcomes for children. You’ll join a friendly, stable, and supportive team that shares a passion for creating brighter futures. Our strength‑based approach focuses on promoting wellbeing and maintaining family connections wherever possible.

What you’ll do:

• Carry out comprehensive assessments to understand each child’s needs and circumstances.
• Develop and review care plans that reflect the child’s needs and wishes.
• Take timely safeguarding action and monitor risks throughout the child’s journey.
• Engage in direct work with children to support their emotional and social development.
• Work towards achieving stable and permanent placements for children.
• Collaborate effectively with multi‑agency partners and advocate for the child’s rights.
• Travel across the country as required to meet in person with children in care.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE).
• Solid understanding of key UK legislation governing work with children.
• Experience supporting children and families within statutory frameworks, ideally including children in care and those involved in care proceedings.
• Ability to assess needs, identify risks, and develop effective, outcome‑focused plans.
• Strong report‑writing skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, confident in multi‑agency working.

Take a look at ourCandidate Pack for more information about the Social Worker (Children in Care) role, team and our values. The section‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• Join a supportive team that values collaboration and professional development.
• Flexible working options, including a 9‑day fortnight and hybrid working.
• Access to Health Assured’s comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more informationhere .

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Important:You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Other roles you may have experience of may include: Senior Case Manager, Advanced Social Work Practitioner, Senior Children’s Services Practitioner, Senior Safeguarding Social Worker.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.