At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments and support families to ensure children's safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council's dedicated Kinship Assessment Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with strong support and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for family support.
The predicted salary is between 40777 - 40777 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for a Fostering Social Worker to join our dedicated Kinship Assessment Team in Gloucester.
Salary: between £39,152 - £40,777 per annum subject to experience (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Up to £8,000 relocation package
- Flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- Employee discount scheme
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- Career development and qualification opportunities
- Access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
Please note that all our welcome and retention payments are subject to terms and conditions as well as tax and national insurance deductions. Please note that our relocation policy is subject to terms and conditions.
In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children's Services have been officially judged as 'Good' with 'Outstanding' elements. Ofsted also said 'Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.'
This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive.
Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce.
We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.
We specialise in assessing family members and connected persons who are being considered as carers for children who cannot remain with their birth parents. As a dedicated assessment team, we complete Form K assessments for potential kinship foster carers and Special Guardianship Order (SGO) assessments, ensuring children are able to remain within their family networks wherever it is safe and appropriate.
We are a busy and high-performing team, committed to delivering high-quality, evidence and strength-based assessments within statutory timescales. Team members are well-supported through regular supervision, peer collaboration and ongoing professional development.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Social Worker to join our country-wide Kinship Assessment Team.
- Conduct home visits, supervisions, unannounced visits, interviews and assessments to evaluate suitability and safeguarding risks.
- Analyse complex family dynamics and present clear, evidence-based recommendations for either fostering or SGO.
- Work in partnership with children's social work teams, legal services and external agencies.
- Attend and contribute to fostering panels and court processes where required.
- Ensure the child's voice and best interests remain central to all assessments.
This is a country-wide role, requiring travel and flexibility. If you are passionate about keeping children connected to their families and have the skills to deliver high-quality assessments in a busy team, we would love to hear from you.
Requirements:
- A full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Children's)
For an informal chat about this role, please contact us. We welcome applications from newly qualified and social workers in the early years of their career. Depending on your qualification date and previous experience, you will be invited to either join our accredited ASYE programme or to complete an alternative early career development in-house pathway.
Fostering Social Worker (Contract) in Gloucester employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Fostering Social Workers. With a strong focus on employee well-being, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to professional development through our Social Work Academy, we empower our staff to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Our recent 'Good' Ofsted rating reflects our dedication to fostering a culture where every team member feels valued and heard, making this an ideal place for passionate social workers to grow and contribute.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Social Worker (Contract) in Gloucester
✨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 Gloucestershire County Council.
✨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 Gloucestershire County Council!
✨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 Gloucestershire County Council, 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 Gloucestershire County Council 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 (Contract) in Gloucester
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 Gloucestershire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Gloucestershire County Council! 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 Gloucestershire County Council
✨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.
