At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Kinship team to support children and families in need.
- Company: Reading Borough Council, dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for innovation and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in Reading.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Reading Borough Council (RBC) Children’s Services are improving outcomes for Reading's children, young people and families. Our responsibility is to deliver quality children's services, early help, education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in the borough. We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including policy, public health and voluntary groups.
We are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Offending Service and traded services with schools. Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy and successful lives.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role: We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Kinship team within Reading Borough Council’s Kinship & Permanence Service. Our Kinship & Permanence Service sits within our Children’s Social Care Service. The Service brings together a number of our permanency services, including, but not limited to:
- Permanency Planning for all Children Looked After aged up to 11 years.
- Family finding for children with Care Plans of permanent fostering.
- The assessment of Connected Carers and Special Guardians.
- The registration of Private Foster Carers and monitoring and supporting private fostering arrangements.
- Supervision of and support to Connected Carers.
- The provision of Special Guardianship Support Services.
- The management of the Kinship Service’s Permanence Allowance Scheme.
- Liaison with our RAA and the day-to-day management of our RAA contract.
- The provision of support and advice to social workers and managers across the local authority, with regards to achieving and maintaining permanent placements for Children Looked After.
- The completion of Life Books and setting up of contact arrangements for adopted children.
The post holder’s case load will focus on completing Viability, Regulation 24, Private Fostering and full assessments of prospective Kinship Carers and prospective Special Guardians, for children and young people who are in the care of Reading Borough Council. Additionally, you will provide 1:1 support to Regulation 24 Carers who are looking after children who are in the care of Reading Borough Council and complete the assessment and registration process in respect of new Private Fostering arrangements.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.
Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency.
- Take Responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
- Be Ambitious be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer: We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Alexandra.Lambert@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Friday 24th July 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Social Worker - Kinship Carer and Special Guardian Assessor in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive community where educators can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development and a supportive work culture, teachers are encouraged to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying a collaborative environment with dedicated colleagues. Located in a welcoming area, this school prioritises the welfare of its staff and students, making it an ideal place for passionate educators to grow and succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Kinship Carer and Special Guardian Assessor in Reading
✨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 Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Reading Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reading Borough 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 Reading Borough 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.
