Social Worker (Fostering)

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