At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to improve outcomes for children and families in Herefordshire.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, dedicated to safeguarding and supporting local communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on continuous improvement and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with leadership experience and a passion for child welfare.
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 (see attached guidance)
Relocation package of up to £10,000 available
Closing date: 31/05/2026
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 of 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
Join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement and help us achieve the very best outcomes for children and families in Herefordshire. We’re looking for a passionate, qualified, and experienced Children’s Social Work Manager to lead one of our six Safeguarding & Support teams. In this role, you’ll bring your expertise across child in need and child protection work, PLO and pre-proceedings, care proceedings, and adoption. You’ll lead a team of social workers and family support workers, supported by a Managing Practitioner as part of our new locality structure. We’re seeking a leader who is committed to high-quality supervision, clear case direction, and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children. You’ll need to be organised, confident in decision-making, and an effective communicator. As part of our service management team, you will help embed strong, relationship-based, restorative practice across the service. Come and be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team dedicated to making a real difference.
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
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
- Team Manager starting salary of HC11 £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. 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.
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.
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. 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!
Childrens Social Work Manager - Safeguarding and Support in Hereford employer: Hoople
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for its staff. With a strong focus on professional development, generous benefits including a welcome payment and relocation package, and a commitment to high-quality supervision, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. Located in the picturesque county of Herefordshire, team members enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere while contributing to a vital mission of safeguarding and supporting young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Social Work Manager - Safeguarding and Support in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Herefordshire Council on LinkedIn or through social media. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the council's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to our mission of safeguarding children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to leadership and safeguarding. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through, so be ready to share specific examples from your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Social Work Manager - Safeguarding and Support 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 in safeguarding and support, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills!
Showcase Your Passion:In your application, let your passion for driving positive change for children and families shine through. Use examples that demonstrate your commitment to high-quality safeguarding practice.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out the application form, be clear and concise. Make sure you address the job description and person specification directly, showing how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t hesitate!
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 safeguarding practices, child protection laws, and the restorative approach mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led a team or managed complex cases. Highlight your ability to provide clear case direction and high-quality supervision, as these are crucial for this position. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with families and multi-agency partners, be ready to discuss how you’ve fostered collaboration in previous roles. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to positive outcomes for children and families, demonstrating your commitment to inclusive practice.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team culture, ongoing training opportunities, and how the council measures success in safeguarding. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
