At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, ensuring their safety and well-being through meaningful interventions.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to safeguarding and empowering families in Herefordshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Access professional development opportunities and a welcoming workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with a recognised qualification and a passion for safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 41363 - 45777 £ per year.
About The Role
Our Safeguarding and Support service is made up of six teams, which work out of three locality offices: South Locality (Ross-on-Wye), North Locality (Leominster) and Central Locality (Hereford). Each team comprises a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and a team of Family Support Workers. Locality working gives you the opportunity to stay connected, meet new colleagues, and easily access support. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work – a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice: senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.
The Role
In this vital role you will work directly with children, young people, and their families to create meaningful, lasting change. You will build trusting relationships, offer early help and support, and when necessary, take decisive action to ensure children are safe and thriving. Our focus is on working collaboratively with families, empowering them to overcome challenges while always keeping the child’s voice at the centre of everything we do. We are passionate about the work we do and strive to continue to make improvements, helping families feel part of the journey and providing an inclusive and collaborative service. We want to empower children and their families to make the changes that are needed, and where it is necessary to ensure alternative safe care arrangements, we are committed to ensuring we do so in a professional, skilled and sensitive way.
About You
- We are looking for Social Workers who are:
- Passionate about safeguarding children and supporting families
- Skilled in assessment, planning, and delivering interventions
- Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively
- Resilient, reflective, and confident in making difficult decisions
- Able to work effectively within a supportive team environment
- Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £36,363 - £40,777 per annum
- Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
- Welcome Payment: £10,000
- Retention payment: £2,000 - £4,000 depending on team.
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
- Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability – part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist – part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver – part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk. If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up‑to‑date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile. If you are successfully shortlisted, the CYP Recruitment Team will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox – check your spam/junk folder too.
Sponsorship Available (UK Only)
We can provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for successful candidates who are already living in the UK and have a minimum of two years’ UK‑based experience in the relevant team or discipline.
Children’s Social Worker – Safeguarding & Flexible Hours in Hereford employer: Hoople Ltd
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer for Children’s Social Workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a welcome payment and relocation support, as well as clear pathways for professional development, employees are empowered to grow in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the community. The flexible working options and commitment to inclusivity further enhance the appeal of working in Ross-on-Wye, Leominster, and Hereford, making it an ideal environment for passionate social workers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Social Worker – Safeguarding & Flexible Hours in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former social workers in the field. They can give you insider tips on the role and might even know about unadvertised positions. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to safeguarding and family support. Think about real-life scenarios where you made tough decisions. This will help you showcase your skills and experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your collaborative approach during interviews. Talk about how you’ve worked with families and other professionals to create positive outcomes. It’s all about showing that you can build those trusting relationships!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles and updates there. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our passionate team!
We think you need these skills to ace Children’s Social Worker – Safeguarding & Flexible Hours in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Children’s Social Worker. Highlight your experience in safeguarding and supporting families, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or training that align with the job description.
Show Your Passion:In your application, let your passion for safeguarding children shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, and demonstrate your commitment to working collaboratively with families.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out the application form, be clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make your skills and experiences stand out. Remember, we want to see how you meet the essential criteria, so keep it relevant!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team culture there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of a Children’s Social Worker, especially around safeguarding and supporting families. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices in social work to show you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare specific examples that highlight your skills in assessment, planning, and delivering interventions. Think about times when you’ve worked collaboratively with families or made tough decisions, and be ready to discuss these during the interview.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role is all about working as part of a team, be prepared to talk about how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues in the past. Highlight your ability to reflect on your practice and seek guidance when needed, as this aligns with their team culture.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the restorative approach they use, or how they support professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
