About the Role
Herefordshire Council – Children in Care Service. Children’s Social Worker – Children in Care. Salary: HC8 £36,363 – £40,777 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year). Welcome payment: £10,000. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 37. Closing date: 16/04/2026. Location: Multiple locations – Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Hereford. Relocation package up to £10,000 available.
Introduction
Our Children in Care service is made up of three teams. Each team comprises a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and Family Support Workers. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work – a way of working firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice; senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.
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The Role
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to reach their full potential? We are looking for dedicated and skilled Social Workers to join our Children in Care Service. In this important role you will work closely with children and young people who are looked after, as well as their families, carers and networks. You’ll build positive, trusting relationships and make sure every child has a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where they can thrive. You will be a consistent and reliable presence in each child’s life, supporting their emotional wellbeing, education and future plans, whether that means returning home, staying in care or preparing for independence.
We are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. Our approach is inclusive and collaborative and we listen carefully to each child’s voice and work together with families, foster carers, and professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Herefordshire is on a journey of improvement, and we’d love you to be part of our story. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine, lasting difference in the lives of children and young people in care.
About You
* Passionate about promoting the wellbeing, safety and stability of children and young people in care.
* Skilled in assessment, care planning and supporting positive outcomes for children, families and carers.
* Committed to working collaboratively with children, families, foster carers and professionals to ensure every child’s voice is heard.
* Resilient and reflective, with the confidence to make balanced decisions in complex situations.
* Able to thrive within a supportive, relationship‑based team that values learning, creativity and shared responsibility.
* Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW).
To arrange an informal discussion or ask any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk.
We Offer
* Salary range of £36,363 – £40,777 per annum.
* Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum.
* Welcome Payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance).
* Retention payment: £2,000 – £4,000 depending on team.
* Relocation packages – support of up to £10,000.
* Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career.
* Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
* Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period.
* Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
* Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling.
* Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
* Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families and partners to make a lasting difference.
It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care.
If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire – where your work truly matters.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team at enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk. If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, the Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Inclusive Workplace
We encourage employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups providing support and community. Embedded in the Council’s values is a commitment to listen to people’s views and needs.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
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 – part of our commitment to the Disability Confident scheme.
* Those who indicate they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist – part of our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant.
* Those who indicate they are a Herefordshire care leaver – part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. The position 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 application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile. After successful shortlisting, the C&YP Recruitment Team will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment and confirm the date, time and location. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk folder.
Please note: the council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas prospective candidates that require sponsorship should not apply for these roles. A full list of current vacancies can be found at https://spiritofherefordshire.com/children-young-people/jobs/.
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