At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and assess fostering households to improve the lives of children and young people.
- Company: Join the City of York’s Fostering Service, dedicated to community and care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and continuous training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with strong communication and assessment skills.
The predicted salary is between 34301 - 37439 £ per year.
Job location: York
Salary: Grade 8 Level 1-4 £34,301 to £37,439 per annum; Grade 9 Level 1-4 £38,212 to £42,849 per annum (dependent on experience)
About the role
We are excited to be welcoming applications from Social Workers to join our Fostering Service. We are proud of our children and young people in our care, who can live in their own community and build their future locally with local foster families. We put children at the centre of all our practice and want to improve the offer we give to our foster carers and the children they care for. So come and help change and shape the future of the service. It is an exciting time to join City of York’s Fostering Service as we continue to embed the service restructure along with the way we assess families. We focus on driving a strong value base of good practice, effective communication, and high support in York. The Kinship strategy is a key focus this year, ensuring wherever possible children can remain in their own family network. We are continuing our implementation of Signs of Safety led by Andrew and Pene Turnell; as well as bespoke training in Family Seeing with Kevin Campbell, with training planned throughout 2026.
Successful candidates will receive continuous training, access to knowledge banks and will be part of the community delivering the Building Brighter Futures practice model forward. Candidates will need to be highly motivated, committed to meeting the Fostering Regulations to deliver an outstanding quality Fostering Service for the children and young people of York.
Key responsibilities and skills
- Work independently and as part of a team
- Be able to assess, supervise and support fostering households
- Develop others' practice and manage challenging situations
- Work within timescales and with conflicting priorities
- Have excellent oral, listening, and written skills for clear, analytical, and coherent reports (a requirement of this post)
If you are a dedicated Qualified Social Worker who wants to make a difference for children and young people, then apply now. This post is suitable as a job sharing position. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.
The Council is highly committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition, we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.
Closing date: 9 August 2026 at 12 midnight
Fostering Social Worker (1 x Assessment and 1 x Support) employer: Children's Social Work Matters
Children's Social Work Matters in Hull is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, the organisation offers comprehensive training and development opportunities tailored to all experience levels, ensuring that every social worker can thrive in their role. Located in a vibrant community, employees benefit from a culture that prioritises meaningful outcomes for children and families, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Children's Social Work Matters Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker (1 x Assessment and 1 x Support)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Children's Social Work Matters.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Children's Social Work Matters!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Children's Social Work Matters, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Children's Social Work Matters or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Social Worker (1 x Assessment and 1 x Support)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Children's Social Work Matters:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Children's Social Work Matters! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Children's Social Work Matters
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
