Social Worker – Fostering & Kinship Team

Somerset Council

Up to £38.00 per Hour | Hybrid Working | 3 Days Office Based

Key Highlights

Up to £38.00 per hour
Hybrid working with 3 days per week in the office
Join a highly regarded Fostering & Kinship Service
Support foster carers, connected persons carers, and special guardians to provide safe and nurturing homes
Strong management oversight and regular reflective supervision
Opportunity to develop specialist expertise within fostering and permanence services
Ongoing contract within a supportive local authority
Immediate interview availability

Are you an experienced Social Worker with a passion for supporting children to remain within safe and stable family environments? We are currently recruiting for a Social Worker to join the Fostering & Kinship Team at Somerset Council.

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a service dedicated to securing permanence and positive outcomes for children through fostering and kinship arrangements. You will work closely with foster carers, connected persons carers, special guardians, and partner agencies to ensure children receive the stability, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.

The successful candidate will join a service that values relationship-based practice, professional development, and collaborative working, providing practitioners with the support required to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and families.

About Somerset Council

Somerset Council is committed to putting children and families at the heart of everything it does. The authority continues to invest in its Children's Services workforce, creating an environment where Social Workers are empowered to build meaningful relationships, exercise professional judgement, and deliver high-quality interventions.

The Fostering & Kinship Service plays a crucial role in ensuring children are cared for within safe, stable, and nurturing family settings whenever possible. The service works proactively with carers and families to promote permanence, placement stability, and lifelong connections for children and young people.

Social Workers benefit from supportive management, accessible leadership, regular supervision, and a culture that encourages learning, reflection, and professional growth.

Practice Model

The service is underpinned by a relationship-based, strengths-focused, and trauma-informed practice model, recognising the importance of understanding each child's experiences and the value of supportive family relationships.

Practitioners are encouraged to:

Build strong and trusting relationships with carers, children, and families
Identify and build upon family strengths and support networks
Promote permanence and long-term stability for children
Apply trauma-informed approaches when assessing need and providing support
Use reflective practice and professional curiosity to inform decision-making
Ensure children's voices, wishes, and lived experiences remain central to all planning
Work collaboratively with carers and professionals to achieve sustainable outcomes

This approach enables Social Workers to provide effective support while ensuring children remain at the centre of every intervention and decision.

Key Responsibilities

Undertaking fostering assessments, connected persons assessments, and kinship assessments in accordance with statutory requirements
Completing viability assessments and contributing to Special Guardianship assessments where required
Providing ongoing supervision, guidance, and support to approved foster carers and kinship carers
Assessing support needs and developing plans that promote placement stability and positive outcomes
Monitoring placements and implementing interventions to prevent placement disruption
Preparing high-quality reports for fostering panels, permanence panels, court proceedings, and statutory reviews
Presenting assessments and recommendations at fostering panels and professional meetings
Supporting carers to meet children's emotional, educational, developmental, and health needs
Working collaboratively with children's social workers, education professionals, health services, legal representatives, and other partner agencies
Contributing to permanence planning and ensuring timely progression of care plans
Maintaining accurate case recordings and ensuring compliance with fostering regulations and statutory guidance

Candidate Requirements

Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification
Registered with Social Work England
Experience within Fostering, Kinship, Connected Persons, Looked After Children, or Children's Safeguarding Services
Knowledge of fostering regulations, kinship care legislation, and permanence planning frameworks
Experience undertaking detailed assessments and producing high-quality reports
Strong understanding of attachment theory, child development, and trauma-informed practice
Excellent analytical, assessment, and communication skills
Ability to build positive relationships with carers, families, and professionals
Commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people

Why Work With Somerset Council?

Competitive rate of up to £38.00 per hour
Hybrid working with 3 office-based days per week
Supportive and experienced leadership team
Regular reflective supervision and case consultation
Opportunity to work within a specialist fostering and kinship service
Strong commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development
Collaborative team culture with accessible management support
Long-term contract opportunity within a progressive local authority
Weekly payroll and dedicated recruitment consultant support
Referral bonus scheme available

This is an excellent opportunity for a Social Worker seeking a rewarding role where they can make a lasting difference to the lives of children and carers while developing specialist expertise within fostering and kinship services.

For more information or to apply, please contact:

Josh Dhumisani
07902371315
jdhumisani@sheldon-phillips.com

Apply Today