Staffordshire County Council

Social Worker – Children in Care Team

Pay Rate: £33.30 per hour
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Locum

About the Role

Staffordshire County Council is looking for a committed Social Worker to join its Children in Care Team.
You will work with children and young people who are looked after, ensuring their safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing through high-quality care planning, direct work, and multi-agency collaboration.

This is a rewarding role where you’ll build strong relationships with young people, carers, and partner agencies to secure the best possible outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Complete statutory visits, assessments, and reviews for children in care.
Develop and maintain high-quality care and permanence plans.
Work closely with foster carers, residential homes, schools, and health teams.
Prepare clear, professional reports for Looked After Reviews and court when needed.
Undertake direct work to ensure the child’s voice shapes every decision.
Support transitions to independence where appropriate.
Maintain accurate and timely case records in line with statutory requirements.

Practice Model Used by Staffordshire

Staffordshire uses a Strengths-Based Practice Model, supported by Restorative Practice principles.
This approach focuses on:

Building meaningful, trusting relationships with children and families
Collaborative working and repairing harm where possible
Clear, structured risk assessment and safety planning
Empowering families and young people to build on strengths
Encouraging reflective supervision and confident decision-making
The framework is embedded across Children’s Services and supports consistent, high-quality practice.

Why Staffordshire Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Staffordshire is known for its balance of countryside calm and strong connectivity:

Beautiful landscapes including the Cannock Chase, perfect for walking, cycling, and outdoor life.
Affordable housing and excellent value for money compared to major cities.
Friendly towns such as Stafford, Lichfield, and Tamworth, offering great schools, amenities, and community feel.
Excellent links to Birmingham, Manchester, and the wider Midlands.
A supportive, stable council investing in staff development, modernised services, and improved social work practice.
It’s a brilliant location for professionals wanting both career opportunities and a high quality of life.