Senior Social Worker - Kinship

Kinship Assessment Team | Staffordshire County Council
Rate: £33.30 per hour | Hybrid (1–2 days per week in the office) 

If you’re at your best when you’re writing sharp assessments and helping children stay safely within their family network, this is a strong one. It’s a focused Kinship Assessment post with genuinely flexible working and a base in Stafford.

About the role

You’ll complete kinship/connected persons work from early viability through to full assessments, supporting timely permanency decisions (including SGO/fostering routes). You’ll be expected to produce clear, analytical reports that stand up in panel and court, working closely with legal and children’s social care teams to keep plans moving.

Practice approach
Staffordshire’s children’s services are underpinned by a relational, restorative practice model, with a clear emphasis on working with families and networks to secure safe, sustainable outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Complete viability and full kinship/connected persons assessments within required timescales
• Produce high-quality, evidence-based reports for decision-making (including panel and court where required)
• Hold confident, purposeful conversations with prospective carers and wider family networks
• Analyse risk, strengths, capacity to protect, and support needs — and translate this into clear recommendations
• Work closely with Legal, IROs, Fostering, Safeguarding and Children in Care teams to progress plans
• Contribute to robust permanency planning and ensure the child’s voice is reflected throughout
• Maintain timely, accurate case recording and professional decision rationales
• Provide a senior level of practice judgement and contribute to quality assurance where needed

Benefits 

• Hybrid working with 1–2 days per week office-based in Stafford
• A specialist remit focused on assessment and permanency outcomes
• Strong multi-agency working and meaningful, relationship-based practice

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Proven, recent experience completing Kinship / Connected Persons assessments (this is essential)
• Strong report writing and analytical decision-making skills
• Sound knowledge of kinship pathways and relevant legislation/frameworks
• Confident communication with families, partner agencies, and legal professionals

Interested?

Contact: Emily Cooper | 07745 200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com