Social Worker - Fostering Kinship

Social Worker – Fostering Kinship Team | Herefordshire County Council

Position: Social Worker
Team: Fostering Kinship
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: £35,235 – £39,513 per annum + £5,000 market rate supplement + £10,000 welcome payment (subject to guidance) + full benefits package
Location: Hereford
Start Date: ASAP
Working Pattern: Full-time, flexible hybrid

Contact: Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com

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Herefordshire County Council are seeking experienced Social Workers to join their Fostering Kinship Team. This is an exciting opportunity to support kinship carers and foster families in providing safe, nurturing and stable homes for children, while being part of a supportive service that invests in staff development and wellbeing.

What You Can Expect:

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements to suit your lifestyle

• Market rate supplement of £5,000 per year

• £10,000 welcome payment for experienced Social Workers joining the team

• Relocation package support of up to £10,000

• Protected CPD time and clear career progression pathways

• Strong team culture and supportive management

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess, train and support kinship carers and foster families to ensure safe and high-quality care for children

• Complete viability, fostering and special guardianship assessments

• Provide supervision and ongoing support to carers, helping to maintain placement stability

• Work closely with children, families, carers and professionals to secure positive outcomes

• Contribute to fostering panel processes and prepare high-quality reports

• Ensure compliance with fostering regulations, national standards and statutory guidance

Requirements:

• SWE Registration

• Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)

• Post-qualified experience in fostering, kinship or permanence work

• Strong assessment, analytical and report-writing skills

• Knowledge of fostering legislation, regulations and statutory requirements

• Ability to build strong relationships with carers, children and multi-agency partners

• Resilient, proactive and child-focused approach

Benefits Include:

• Market rate supplement of £5,000 per year

• £10,000 welcome payment for experienced Social Workers

• Relocation package support of up to £10,000

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Professional development with protected time and budget

• Clear career progression pathways

• 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with option to purchase up to 10 more days

• Flexible working options, including job-share, part-time and home working

• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 counselling support

• Payment of professional membership fees

• “Pick your perks” access to retail, holiday and health discounts

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If you’re passionate about supporting kinship carers and foster families to make a lasting difference for children, this is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking local authority.

Apply today or contact Emily Cooper for more information – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com