Social Worker (Kinship and Post-Permanence)

Help children stay connected to their families and build safe, lasting homes. As a Kinship and Post-Permanence Social Worker, you’ll play a vital role in securing stable, permanent homes for children within their wider family networks. At RBKC, we’re all in when it comes to keeping children connected to their families, delivering high-quality assessments and tailored support so young people can thrive in loving homes.

Working Style

To begin with, you’ll be based in the Borough for three days a week, playing an important role in serving the local community. Whether you’re working directly with families on the frontline or supporting services behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents’ lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

Your day-to-day work will focus on assessing and supporting kinship carers and special guardians to secure permanent, loving homes for children. You’ll conduct initial viability assessments, complex connected persons assessments and analytical reports for fostering panels and court proceedings. When required, you’ll step into court to present evidence clearly and confidently based on your assessments. Your role extends beyond initial assessments – you’ll provide ongoing supervision and post-order support, helping families navigate complex dynamics, manage challenges and access therapeutic, educational or financial resources. As part of a shared service operating across three London boroughs – RBKC, Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham – you’ll collaborate closely with children’s social workers, health professionals, legal teams and schools to ensure care plans always prioritise the child’s safety, identity and wellbeing. Every duty you undertake aligns with statutory guidance, fostering regulations and our commitment to care, competence and fairness.

What You’ll Bring

You’ll hold a recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW or equivalent), maintain active Social Work England registration and possess a clear enhanced DBS check. You’ll bring experience in statutory social work with children and families, alongside a strong understanding of permanence planning, safeguarding and relevant legislation, including the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, Special Guardianship Regulations and the Public Law Outline. To thrive in this post, you’ll need analytical report-writing skills and the confidence to present evidence clearly within court proceedings. You’ll be highly organised, able to manage and prioritise a complex caseload and comfortable working independently to meet tight court deadlines. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential. You’ll be someone who can engage empathetically with children, birth families and prospective foster carers, always maintaining sound professional judgement and a calm, compassionate approach.

Why join us

At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future. You’ll join a small, supportive team operating across three London boroughs that are all rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. We invest in your growth through our systemic model of practice, providing training and continuous professional development opportunities to help you expand your skills and confidence. Alongside a competitive salary and flexible working options, you’ll benefit from a collaborative environment working alongside multidisciplinary colleagues across London who share your dedication.

About Us

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all. In this role, you’ll bring a real sense of care, empathy and commitment to supporting families through life-changing decisions. Managing a multi-borough caseload with strict court deadlines brings real challenges, but your thoughtful and practical approach will help families navigate complex dynamics. By committing fully to high-quality assessments and relationship-focused practice, you’ll help turn complex challenges into opportunities for family growth while ensuring children achieve long-term stability and security.

Interview Details And Position Requirements

Interviews for this position will be held week commencing 17th August. Applicants must have a valid Social Work England registration as well as appropriate qualification. This position requires an Enhanced DBS Check to be carried out during pre-employment checks. We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants. We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will normally start at the minimum of the pay scale. However, a higher starting salary may be negotiated where a candidate demonstrates exceptional skills, knowledge, or experience. Employees receive annual salary increments until they reach the top of the pay scale, as well as any agreed cost of living pay awards. We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.