Job Description
We’re one assessment service made up of two dedicated teams, all working together with the same purpose: making sure Lancashire’s children, young people, and families receive the very best support.
About Us
We’re one assessment service made up of two dedicated teams, all working together with the same purpose: making sure Lancashire’s children, young people, and families receive the very best support.
Our Kinship Assessment Team
Our Kinship colleagues focus on assessing and supporting Lancashire’s kinship carers. Their work includes carrying out viability assessments for prospective Connected Carers and Special Guardians, completing Regulation 24 assessments, supervising carers, and preparing detailed assessment reports for both Fostering Panel and Court. They play a key role in helping children remain within their wider family networks whenever this is safe and right for them.
Our Mainstream Assessment Team
Our Mainstream team leads on recruiting and assessing Lancashire's mainstream foster carers. This includes initial visits, completing full fostering assessments, and preparing families through tailored training so they feel confident, supported, and ready for the fostering journey.
Both teams are based at County Hall in Preston, although we currently work flexibly. As our work takes us across Lancashire, you’ll need to be able to travel independently.
Opportunities to Join Us
We’re looking for three Social Workers (Grade 8) to join our assessment service:
* Mainstream Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker
o Full-time
o 01/07/2026 – 30/06/2027 (12 months fixed term)
o Maternity cover
* Kinship Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker
o Full-time
o Immediate start – 30/10/2026 (up to 6 months)
o Maternity cover
* Kinship Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker
o Full-time
o Immediate start – 31/12/2026 (up to 8 months)
o Sabbatical cover
* Kinship Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker
o Full-time
o Immediate start – Permanent
Our Values – What Matters to Us
Everything we do is grounded in clear and heartfelt principles:
* Putting children, young people, and families at the heart of every decision.
* Making sure families are genuinely involved, whether the decision is big or small.
* Working together to continually shape and improve the support we offer.
* Building meaningful relationships and effective partnerships across services.
* Removing barriers so children and families can access the opportunities they deserve.
* Moving towards a fully trauma-informed workforce so we can better support children who have experienced adversity.
What You Can Expect When You Join Us
* Supportive, stable leadership: Our permanent management team is approachable and committed to helping you grow—whatever stage of your social work career you’re at.
* Clear career progression: We take pride in supporting development and celebrating strengths.
* Outstanding support for newly qualified social workers: From bite-size learning events and development sessions to ASYE groups, mentoring, and a dedicated Social Work Academy, you’ll never feel alone in your learning journey.
* A strong team culture: You’ll join a team of up to 24 social workers and be fully involved in team meetings, reflective sessions, and wellbeing events.
* Competitive salary: We’re happy to discuss salary at interview, basing our offer on your knowledge, experience, and skills.
* Employee wellbeing support: All LCC staff can access our free Employee Assistance Programme for counselling and advice on personal, family, or workplace matters.
Who We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from social workers who share our values and want to make a real difference. You’ll be someone who is:
* Supportive – You understand how powerful it is when carers feel truly supported, and you’re committed to helping children feel safe, happy, and loved.
* Innovative – You enjoy exploring new ideas and contributing to initiatives that help us continually improve what we offer.
* Respectful – You recognise the diverse needs of our children, carers, and colleagues, and your practice is inclusive and anti-discriminatory.
* Collaborative – You value partnership working and want to play an active role in shaping the future of our fostering service.
Interested? If you’re passionate about relationship-building, committed to achieving positive outcomes, and want to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team, we’d love to speak with you.
For an informal chat about the roles or to learn more about the service, please contact:
Gareth Winstanley (Fostering Team Manager)
01772 534627
gareth.winstanley@lancashire.gov.uk
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful, you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.
You must be registered (Social Work England) to be appointed as a Social Worker.
You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use.
We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr