At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to improve safeguarding and support for children and families.
- Company: Herefordshire Council, committed to positive change and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with experience in child protection and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 55915 € per year.
Contract: Permanent.
Location: Leominster (North).
Hours: 37.
Salary: HC11 £51,356 - £55,915 (plus market supplement of £5,000 per year). Welcome payment: £10,000. Relocation package up to £10,000 available.
Closing date: 31/05/2026
Delivering good quality services through outstanding leadership - Ofsted
Introduction
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.
The Role
In this role, you will bring your expertise across child in need and child protection work, PLO and pre-proceedings, care proceedings, and adoption. You will lead a team of social workers and family support workers, supported by a Managing Practitioner as part of our new locality structure. You will be a committed leader who delivers high-quality supervision, clear case direction, and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children. You will embed strong, relationship-based, restorative practice across the service.
About You
- Passionate about driving positive change for children and families through high-quality safeguarding practice, effective risk management, and timely intervention.
- Skilled in analysis, planning, and decision-making, ensuring risks are clearly understood, safety plans are robust, and children's needs are met through strong, evidence-based practice.
- Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively with families and multi-agency partners to achieve the best outcomes.
- Resilient, reflective, and confident in leading complex safeguarding work, offering clear case direction and making sound professional judgments.
- Able to thrive in a supportive, fast-paced team environment, contributing to a culture of high-quality supervision, strong practice standards, and continuous improvement.
- Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW).
We Offer
- Competitive salary of HC11 £51,356 - £55,915 plus market supplement of £5,000 per year.
- Relocation package support up to £10,000.
- Welcome payment of £10,000 for experienced social workers joining children’s teams.
- Pension scheme enrollment in Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Professional development – protected time and budget to support professional growth.
- Career progression – clear pathways to progress.
- Generous annual leave – 31 days pro rata plus bank holidays, with option to purchase 10 additional days per year.
- Flexible working – flexi‑time, job‑share, part‑time hours and occasional home working.
- Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 access to support and counselling.
- Professional membership fees – payment of fees.
- Pick your perks – access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cash back, and discounts.
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: [email protected]. If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
- 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.
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. For any questions about the role or application process, contact [email protected]. Please note: the council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas prospective candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK should not apply for these roles. We appreciate your interest in Herefordshire Council and encourage you to consider other opportunities with us that may be open to sponsorship.
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.
Head of Academy Sports Science in Leominster employer: Hoople Ltd
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and generous benefits package, including a welcome payment and relocation support for new team members. Our work culture prioritises professional development and career progression, ensuring that you have the resources and support needed to thrive in your role while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the Leominster area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Academy Sports Science in Leominster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around safeguarding and support. Show them you're not just a fit on paper but also in spirit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your achievements and how you've tackled challenges in your previous roles. Confidence is key, so let your passion for improving outcomes for children shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process. So, get that CV polished and hit submit!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Academy Sports Science in Leominster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Academy Sports Science role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially in safeguarding and leadership.
Showcase Your Passion:In your application, let us see your passion for driving positive change for children and families. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate how you've made a difference.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out the application form, be clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read and understand your qualifications and experiences.
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 and is considered promptly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child protection work, care proceedings, and safeguarding practices. Familiarise yourself with the latest policies and frameworks relevant to the role, as this will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and driving positive change. Think about specific situations where you provided clear case direction or improved outcomes for children and families, as these stories will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with multi-agency partners, so be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Share instances where you worked inclusively and creatively with families and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making and risk management skills. Practice articulating your thought process in handling complex safeguarding situations, ensuring you demonstrate resilience and reflective practice throughout your responses.