Social Worker

This post is open to job share. We are currently recruiting for a Social Worker to join our Kinship Assessment Team on a permanent basis.

For all your hard work, you will receive the following:

• £37,938 - £45,718 per annum subject to experience
• Annual retention payment of £2,000
• Welcome payment of £4,000
• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• 26.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
• An option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year
• Family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
• Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
• 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
• An in-house Occupational Health service
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (T&Cs apply)
• Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
• Career development and qualification opportunities
• Access to our Social Work Academy

We are working together to support families and communities to give every child the best chance of a happy and rewarding life, especially those who need more help.

The Kinship Assessment Team is experienced, highly supportive, friendly, and deeply passionate about the work we do. While we work hard, we also take the time to celebrate our achievements and share good practice. The Kinship Assessment Team collaborates closely with Social Workers, managers from other Children’s Services, and Legal Services. The work is engaging, often complex and challenging, but plays a vital role in achieving placement stability and permanence for children.

Are you a motivated and passionate social work practitioner committed to fostering, kinship care, and providing high-quality support for children? If so, we invite you to join our dynamic team!

In this role, you will:

• Complete Connected Person Fostering Assessments, Special Guardianship Assessments and Viability Assessments.
• Deliver preparatory training to kinship carers.
• Present assessments to fostering panels and attend court as required, demonstrating strong presentation skills and a confident, articulate manner.
• Provide statutory supervision and support for Connected Person Foster Carers during the assessment process, collaborating with the team around the child to achieve the best outcomes.
• Work flexibly, including some evenings, to meet the needs of kinship carers.

What we’re looking for:

• A passionate, dedicated professional with a strong commitment to improving the lives of children in care.
• Disciplined and highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to complete evidence-based, high-quality assessments with both adults and children.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong analytical abilities, and a solution-focused approach.
• In-depth knowledge of Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, and Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations.
• Flexibility to work evenings and travel across Gloucestershire and countrywide when required.

In return, you will work within a supportive team environment, where your skills and dedication will be valued and developed. You’ll make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, helping to create safe, stable, and nurturing environments.

There are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:

• Social Work England registration
• A recognised qualification in Social Work
• To have passed your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) (if you qualified after 2012)
• A full driving licence and willingness to drive.

This position is subject to a DBS check. Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.