At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in making a real difference for children and families.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, a supportive and inclusive workplace dedicated to community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a strong team ethos await you.
- Why this job: Be part of a restorative journey that transforms lives in your community.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with management experience and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 56356 - 60915 € per year.
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leominster (North Locality)
Hours: 37 hours
Salary: HC11 £51,356 - £55,915 plus market supplement of £5,000 per year (£56,356 - £60,915)
Welcome payment: £10,000
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Introduction
Our Assessment and Support service is made up of three teams, which work out of three locality offices: South Locality (Ross-on-Wye), North Locality (Leominster) and Central Locality (Hereford). Each Team comprises of a Team Manager, Senior Practitioner, Social Workers, and 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
Are you a qualified social worker? Do you have management or supervisory experience? Maybe you are a Senior Practitioner, or Advanced Practitioner? Come and join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement to gain the best for children and families in Herefordshire. Working within the Assessment Team, you will be managing a team of staff who work directly with children and families. With a rotating duty element, the Assessment teams work at pace, completing robust short-term quality assessments of need, ensuring the right service provision is in place. Each of the four teams consists of a Team Manager, managing practitioner and 5 Social Workers. You will provide leadership to your team, and you will be responsible for allocating and prioritising workloads effectively to ensure the care of the child is paramount, whilst also ensuring you develop your team to provide an effective and efficient service. The right candidate will have responsibility for the team plan to meet objectives and ensure performance targets are achieved. You will be fully qualified (DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent), with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in statutory social care. With honed skills in assessment, report writing, and managing complex cases, you will be dedicated to improving the lives of children and families within Herefordshire. Herefordshire is on a journey, and we would like you to be part of our next chapter. This is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact on the local authority and help improve the lives of children and young people across our communities.
About You
- Passionate about making a difference for children and families through high-quality assessments and early intervention
- Skilled in analysis, planning, and decision-making, ensuring each child’s needs are clearly understood and effectively met
- Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively with families and partner agencies
- Resilient, reflective, and confident in managing complex situations and making sound professional judgments
- Able to thrive in a supportive, fast-paced team environment, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement
- 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
- Team Manager starting salary of 11HC £51,356- £55,915 (plus market supplement of £5,000 per year)
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
- Welcome payment £10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children’s teams
- Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
- Professional development: protected time and budget to support social workers develop themselves and their careers
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Generous Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays
- Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together. Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care. If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.
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. 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.
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, those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist, and those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver.
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. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.
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 C&YP 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.
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 would encourage you to consider other opportunities with us that may be open to sponsorship.
Children’s Social Work Manager – Assessment & Support – North Locality in Hereford employer: Hoople
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children and families they serve. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a commitment to professional development, staff are empowered to grow in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the picturesque county of Herefordshire, employees enjoy a vibrant local culture and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Social Work Manager – Assessment & Support – North Locality in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team culture before your interview! Watch our recruitment video and connect with current employees on LinkedIn. This will help you understand our restorative approach and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of our community.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for situational questions by thinking about your past experiences. Reflect on how you've handled complex cases or worked collaboratively with families. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t hesitate to reach out for an informal chat before applying! Contact us at [email protected] to ask any questions about the role or the team. It shows initiative and helps you get a feel for what we’re all about.
✨Tip Number 4
When you get to the interview stage, be ready to discuss your vision for the role. Think about how you can contribute to our journey of improvement and make a real difference for children and families in Herefordshire.
We think you need these skills to ace Children’s Social Work Manager – Assessment & Support – North Locality in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Children’s Social Work Manager. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in management and assessment, and don’t forget to showcase your skills in working with children and families.
Showcase Your Passion:In your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through! Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children and families in your previous roles. We love to see that commitment!
Follow the Application Instructions:Pay close attention to the application instructions. Make sure you complete the application form thoroughly and reference the job description and person specification. This shows us you’re detail-oriented and serious about the role.
Keep an Eye on Your Inbox:After applying, keep an eye on your email for updates from our C&YP Recruitment Team. They’ll reach out to you if you’re shortlisted, so make sure to check your spam folder too, just in case!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Children’s Social Work Manager. Brush up on your knowledge of assessment processes, team management, and the restorative approach to social work that they value. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand what it entails.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your skills in managing complex cases and leading teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since collaboration is at the heart of their practice, be ready to discuss how you’ve worked effectively with families and partner agencies in the past. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships and work inclusively, as this will resonate well with their values.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or the council's vision for the future. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the organisation is the right fit for you.
