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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in care and work collaboratively to ensure their voices are heard.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, dedicated to improving lives for children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for social work and experience in supporting children and families.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a strong team ethos await you!
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 45777 ÂŁ per year.
About The Role
C&YP Social Worker – Children in Care
Job Title: Children’s Social Worker – Children in Care
Salary: HC8 £36,363 – £40,777 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year £41,363 – £45,777)
Welcome payment: ÂŁ10,000 (see attached guidance)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37
Closing date: 16/04/2026
Location: Multiple locations. Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Hereford
Relocation package of up to ÂŁ10,000 available
Introduction
Our Children in Care service is made up of three teams. Each Team comprises of a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and Family Support Workers.
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.
Curious about what it’s really like to be a Social Worker with us? Want to know what it really feels like to work with our passionate and dedicated Social Work teams? This short video gives you a glimpse into the heart of our service and shows why Herefordshire Council could be the perfect place for your next career move.
https://youtu.be/FSjU-FV5uic
The Role
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to reach their full potential? We are looking for dedicated and skilled Social Workers to join our Children in Care Service.
In this important role, you will work closely with children and young people who are looked after, as well as their families, carers, and networks. You’ll build positive, trusting relationships and make sure every child has a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where they can thrive.
You will be a consistent and reliable presence in each child’s life, supporting their emotional wellbeing, education, and future plans, whether that means returning home, staying in care, or preparing for independence.
We are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. Our approach is inclusive and collaborative and we listen carefully to each child’s voice and work together with families, foster carers, and professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Herefordshire is on a journey of improvement, and we’d love you to be part of our story. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine, lasting difference in the lives of children and young people in care.
About You
- Passionate about promoting the wellbeing, safety, and stability of children and young people in care
- Skilled in assessment, care planning, and supporting positive outcomes for children, families, and carers
- Committed to working collaboratively with children, families, foster carers, and professionals to ensure every child’s voice is heard
- Resilient and reflective, with the confidence to make balanced decisions in complex situations
- Able to thrive within a supportive, relationship-based team that values learning, creativity, and shared responsibility
- Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)
To arrange an informal discussion, or ask any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk
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: ÂŁ5,000 per annum
- Welcome Payment: ÂŁ10,000 (see attached guidance)
- Retention payment: £2,000 – £4,000 depending on team
- Relocation packages: support of up to ÂŁ10,000
- 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.
Why Choose Us?
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.
Herefordshire Council Plan
The Council plan sets out how we will make our contribution to achieving a better and more successful Herefordshire. Please see the link below to find out more:
Herefordshire Council Plan 2024-2028
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.
For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.
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. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is 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.
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 – check your spam/junk folder too.
Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
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. A full list of current vacancies can be found here: https://spiritofherefordshire.com/children-young-people/jobs/
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Social Worker - Children in Care employer: Hoople
Contact Detail:
Hoople Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children in Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current social workers or professionals in the field. They can give you insider info about the role and even put in a good word for you. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about how your experiences align with the values of Herefordshire Council. We want to see your passion for working with children and families shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during the interview. Bring examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. We love hearing about your successes and how you can contribute to our restorative journey of improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore all the benefits we offer, like professional development and flexible working options.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Children in Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you and what makes you passionate about working with children and families. Don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and insights.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Social Worker – Children in Care. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing how your background fits into our mission!
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to really sell yourself. Use it to explain how you meet the specific requirements outlined in the job description. Be clear, concise, and make sure to connect your experiences to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of a Social Worker in Children in Care. Brush up on relevant legislation, safeguarding practices, and the importance of co-production in social work. This will show that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in working with children and families. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will help you illustrate your ability to make a genuine impact, which is crucial for this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the team and the organisation. Ask about their approach to professional development or how they celebrate staff achievements. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your motivations for wanting to work in social care and what you hope to achieve. The interviewers are looking for someone who fits into their strong team ethos, so let your personality shine through!