Bedford Borough Council

Social Worker – Looked After Children

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

About the Role

Bedford Borough Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join its Looked After Children Team.
You will work with children and young people in care, ensuring they receive high-quality support, stability, and effective care planning to achieve positive long-term outcomes.

This role involves close collaboration with foster carers, residential providers, and partner agencies to secure permanence and promote wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of looked after children.
Complete statutory visits, assessments, and reviews.
Develop and progress care and permanence plans.
Work closely with foster carers, residential settings, and multi-agency partners.
Prepare high-quality reports for reviews and court proceedings where required.
Undertake direct work with children and young people.
Support transitions to independence and adulthood.

Practice Model Used by Bedford

Bedford Borough Council operates a Strengths-Based Practice Model, supported by Signs of Safety.
This approach focuses on:

Building strong, trusting relationships with children and families
Collaborative and transparent working
Clear and structured risk assessment
Effective safety planning
Reflective supervision and continuous professional development
The model supports consistent, child-centred practice across services.

Why Bedford Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Bedford offers a great balance of affordability, connectivity, and quality of life:

More affordable housing compared to many nearby commuter towns.
Excellent transport links, with direct rail services to London in under an hour.
A vibrant and diverse community with strong local amenities.
Access to green spaces including the Embankment Bedford along the River Great Ouse.
Good schools and family-friendly neighbourhoods.
A supportive local authority focused on staff development and improving outcomes for children.
It’s a great place to grow your career while maintaining a strong work-life balance.