Job Title:
Children's Social Worker – Fostering Kinship
Salary:
HC8 £36,363 - £40,777 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year £41,363 - £45,777)
Welcome payment:
£10,000
Retention payment:
£2,000 - £4,000 depending on team.
Relocation packages:
support of up to £10,000
Contract:
Permanent
Hours:
37
Location:
Herefordshire
Introduction
The Fostering Kinship team consists of a Team Manager, Managing Practitioner, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and a Family Support Worker, all working together to provide comprehensive support for children and families.
We are proud of our restorative approach to social work - a way of working that is 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.
The Role
Are you passionate about supporting children to remain within their family networks? Do you have a strong background in completing robust, child-centred assessments? If so, we'd love to hear from you
Herefordshire Council's Kinship Team is looking for a dedicated Kinship Assessing Social Worker to join our friendly and supportive service. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a specialist team focused on ensuring children can thrive in safe, nurturing kinship arrangements.
As a Kinship Assessing Social Worker, your primary focus will be on completing full kinship assessments for Kinship carers. You'll work closely with families, children, and professionals to explore the suitability of kinship placements, ensuring assessments are thorough, evidence-based, and reflective of the child's needs.
Key responsibilities include:
* Undertaking full connected persons (kinship) assessments, including viability assessments and Special Guardianship reports.
* Engaging with families in a sensitive and respectful way to understand their strengths and challenges.
* Working collaboratively with colleagues across fostering, and safeguarding teams.
* Presenting assessments to fostering panels.
* Contributing to the development of best practice in kinship care across the service.
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 on the local authority and help improve the lives of children and young people across our communities.
About You
* Experience in completing assessments, ideally within fostering or kinship care.
* Confident in analysing risk, attachment, and family dynamics.
* Communicates effectively and builds strong relationships with families and professionals.
* Is passionate about keeping children within their family networks wherever safe and possible.
* Registered with Social Work England
and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)
If you're ready to bring your assessment skills to a team that values compassion, professionalism, and child-centred practice, we'd love to hear from you.