Advanced Social Worker - Assessment

Advanced Practitioner – Assessment Team, Herefordshire

Salary: Up to £50,091 per annum (HC09)
Plus: £10,000 Welcome Payment + £4,000 Retention Bonus
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Location: Hereford – Hybrid working available

Herefordshire Council are continuing to invest in their frontline services — and this Advanced Practitioner role in the Assessment & Support Team is a key part of that journey.
You’ll be joining a service built on stability, learning, and strong leadership, where your expertise is genuinely valued and your professional growth is supported every step of the way.

---

About the Role

As an Advanced Practitioner, you’ll support the Service Manager and help shape the quality and consistency of practice within the Assessment & Support and Early Help teams.
You’ll lead on reflective learning, coaching, and mentoring across the workforce, ensuring social workers and family support workers have the tools and confidence to deliver excellent outcomes for children and families.
This is a role that blends high-level practice oversight with direct involvement — from leading step-down discussions and quality-assuring plans to developing service improvements and delivering training for partners.

---

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the step-down process from Social Care to Early Help, ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.
• Provide reflective consultations, coaching, and mentoring for social workers and family support staff.
• Support the delivery of learning and development activities across the Assessment & Support service.
• Represent the service at key multi-agency meetings and panels.
• Contribute to quality assurance activity, audit work, and service improvement projects.
• Promote best practice in line with Herefordshire’s restorative framework and THRIVE values.

---

Practice Model

Herefordshire’s Family Safeguarding Model is underpinned by a restorative, strengths-based approach.
The focus is on building relationships, empowering families to create sustainable change, and ensuring practitioners are supported through reflective supervision and multi-disciplinary working.
The model promotes professional curiosity, collaboration, and critical reflection — giving practitioners the time and tools to do their best work with children and families.

---

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Minimum 2 years’ post-qualified experience within statutory children’s services.
• Strong understanding of thresholds and step-down processes.
• Experience mentoring, supervising, or developing others.
• Excellent communication and partnership-working skills.
• A commitment to restorative and evidence-based practice.
• Sponsorship available for experienced candidates with at least 2 years of UK social work experience.

---

Benefits

• Salary up to £50,091 per annum (HC09).
• £10,000 Welcome Payment and £4,000 Retention Bonus.
• Generous relocation package (if applicable).
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Regular reflective supervision and development opportunities.
• Clear career pathways within a stable and supportive team environment.

---

Interested?

Click Apply!

For more information or to apply, contact:
Josh Da Costa – Recruitment Manager
Mobile: 07513 834 554
Office: 01635 226350
Email: jdacosta@sheldon-phillips.com

Referral Bonus: Know someone perfect for this role? We’ll give you up to £500 for any successful recommendation.