At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our fostering service to support children and families in need.
- Company: Tameside Children’s Services is dedicated to improving lives and fostering community growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture, professional development opportunities, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Join a committed team on a journey of improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your skills in a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience and strong assessment skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 45000 £ per year.
Contract Type : Permanent
Salary: Grade H. Scale 29 - £39,862 to Scale 34 - £45,091 with a professional bar at SCP 31 £41,771**
Hours per Week : 36
Base Location : Ashton Old Library, Old Street, Ashton Under Lyne
Interview Date : To be arranged
The Role
Tameside Children’s Services are looking for a committed and motivated Social Worker to join our fostering service which includes supervising social worker role for connected carers and assessments of connected carers. As a Fostering Social Worker you will be involved in securing plans of permanency for Tameside children and contribute to the wider offer for our cared for children.
This rewarding role will be helping to make sure our children and young people experience foster carers who are best placed to meet their care needs and with carers who share Tameside’s commitment to securing warm, safe and nurturing foster placements.
We are looking for social worker with the right values, and enthusiasm for relationship strengths-based social work with children and families, and in return we will support you in gaining the skills to continue your professional development.
You will receive regular supervision and work in a supportive culture where we are ambitious about delivering effective social work practice and supporting you to be the very best you can be.
About you
You will be a qualified Social Worker with previous work experience and sound assessment skills. You will be highly motivated, committed and passionate about making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families. Amongst other things, you will be professionally curious with a determination to raise standards and achieve improved outcomes for children and their families.
We are looking for candidates with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to develop positive relationships with children, young people, agencies and other relevant professionals.
You will have a robust knowledge and understanding of statutory requirements and Fostering National Minimum Standards. You will have a variety of skills including a keen eye for detail, professional curiosity, ability to analyse information, good written work, including assessments for court.
We are looking for candidates who enjoy working as part of a large team, enjoy a fast-paced, varied role and to be supported to develop in their own practice.
About Us
Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services
“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.
“I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.
“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.
“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.
“I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”
At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.
We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours and are at the heart of everything that we do. How we do things are just as important as what we do.
Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.
All appointments will be to the bottom salary point in the grade with annual incremental progression each April until the grade maximum is reached. Where an individual can provide evidence that their existing salary in a relevant role surpasses the grade starting salary, a higher entry salary will be considered, subject to the professional grade development criteria also being met if that point is higher than the bar point.
** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:
1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above, AND
2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND
3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND
4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.
This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English in the person specification.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here
Please note, previous applicants need not apply.
For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on or
Social Worker (Fostering) in Ashton-under-Lyne employer: Tameside Council
Tameside Children’s Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and ambitious work culture that prioritises the professional development of its staff. Located in Ashton-under-Lyne, employees benefit from a strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, alongside opportunities for growth through our Social Work Academy and clear progression pathways. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families while being part of a dedicated team that values support, trust, and respect.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Fostering) in Ashton-under-Lyne
✨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 Tameside 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 Tameside 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 Tameside 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 Tameside 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 (Fostering) in Ashton-under-Lyne
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 Tameside Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tameside 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 Tameside 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.
