At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and assess foster carers to ensure children receive the best care.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving lives in Lancashire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with strong team culture and ongoing development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a passion for supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 46215 - 52293 £ per year.
We’re one assessment service made up of two dedicated teams, all working together with the same purpose: making sure Lancashire’s children, young people, and families receive the very best support. Our Kinship colleagues assess, support and supervise kinship carers, while our Mainstream team recruits and assesses mainstream foster carers, conducting initial visits, full assessments and tailored training. Both teams are based at County Hall in Preston, although we currently work flexibly. As our work takes us across Lancashire, you’ll need to be able to travel independently.
Exciting Opportunities to Join Us
- Mainstream Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker Full‑time 01/07/2026 – 30/06/2027 (12 months fixed term) Maternity cover
- Kinship Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker Full‑time Immediate start – 30/10/2026 (up to 6 months) Maternity cover
- Kinship Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker Full‑time Immediate start – 31/12/2026 (up to 8 months) Sabbatical cover
- Kinship Assessment Team – 1 Social Worker Full‑time Immediate start – Permanent
Our Values – What Matters to Us
- Putting children, young people, and families at the heart of every decision.
- Making sure families are genuinely involved, whether the decision is big or small.
- Working together to continually shape and improve the support we offer.
- Building meaningful relationships and effective partnerships across services.
- Removing barriers so children and families can access the opportunities they deserve.
- Moving towards a fully trauma‑informed workforce so we can better support children who have experienced adversity.
What You Can Expect When You Join Us
- Supportive, stable leadership: Our permanent management team is approachable and committed to helping you grow—whatever stage of your social work career you’re at.
- Clear career progression: We take pride in supporting development and celebrating strengths.
- Outstanding support for newly qualified social workers: From bite‑size learning events and development sessions to ASYE groups, mentoring and a dedicated Social Work Academy you’ll never feel alone in your learning journey.
- A strong team culture: You’ll join a team of up to 24 social workers and be fully involved in team meetings, reflective sessions and wellbeing events.
- Competitive salary: We’re happy to discuss salary at interview, basing our offer on your knowledge, experience and skills.
- Employee wellbeing support: All LCC staff can access our free Employee Assistance Programme for counselling and advice on personal, family or workplace matters.
Who We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from social workers who share our values and want to make a real difference. You’ll be someone who is:
- Supportive – You understand how powerful it is when carers feel truly supported, and you’re committed to helping children feel safe, happy and loved.
- Innovative – You enjoy exploring new ideas and contributing to initiatives that help us continually improve what we offer.
- Respectful – You recognise the diverse needs of our children, carers and colleagues, and your practice is inclusive and anti‑discriminatory.
- Collaborative – You value partnership working and want to play an active role in shaping the future of our fostering service.
Interested? If you’re passionate about relationship‑building, committed to achieving positive outcomes and want to be part of a supportive, forward‑thinking team, we’d love to speak with you. For an informal chat about the roles or to learn more about the service, please contact: Gareth Winstanley (Fostering Team Manager) 01772 534627 gareth.winstanley@lancashire.gov.uk
Additional Information
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful, you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a ‘disclosure’. Further information can be found on the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ tab. You must be registered (Social Work England) to be appointed as a Social Worker. You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Social Worker |Permanent | Fostering employer: Lancashire County Council
At Lancashire County Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting our social workers in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Our flexible working arrangements, strong team culture, and commitment to professional development ensure that you will thrive in your role while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us in Preston, where you will be part of a collaborative environment that values innovation and respect, empowering you to grow and succeed in your social work career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker |Permanent | Fostering
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Lancashire County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Lancashire County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Lancashire County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Lancashire County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker |Permanent | Fostering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Lancashire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lancashire County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancashire County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
