At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families, delivering tailored help and protection plans.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Herefordshire focused on child welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, welcome payment, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and clear pathways for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in statutory settings and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 40777 £ per year.
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated qualified Social Worker to join our Family Help locality team. In this role, you will work closely with children, their families, colleagues across the Directorate, and partner agencies to deliver a range of support and intervention services aimed at promoting the wellbeing, safety, and positive outcomes of children with a Family Help plan. You will play a key role in safeguarding children, working in partnership with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) where concerns arise, and contributing to timely and effective protective interventions.
The role requires a strong commitment to high-quality practice within the statutory framework, including the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, and Working Together 2026, supporting the principles of the Families First Programme. In line with our Social Work Progression Pathway, if you demonstrate through application form, interview and references that you meet the relevant competencies for Senior Practitioner, then you will be appointed at the respective level, dependent on skills and experience. This pathway also provides excellent support and progression for Social Workers in Herefordshire, providing a clear career route from entry to social worker to becoming a Senior Practitioner.
As a Social Worker within the Family Help team, you will play a vital role in supporting children, young people, and their families to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes. Working within a locality-based team, you will lead and manage a complex caseload, acting as the Family Help Lead Practitioner to deliver effective help, protection, and intervention. You’ll assess needs, identify risks, and develop tailored Family Help Plans, working closely with partner agencies to ensure coordinated and multi-agency support.
The role includes chairing and contributing to key meetings such as Child in Need, core group, and strategy discussions, as well as undertaking risk assessments and safeguarding work when concerns arise. You will build strong, restorative relationships with families and professionals, enabling meaningful change while promoting the safety and welfare of children, including those in the looked-after system. Accurate recording, report writing (including court work), and contributing to decision-making are key aspects of the role.
About You
- Qualified Social Worker (Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) with current Social Work England registration and a strong commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Experience of working with children and families in a statutory social care setting, with a solid understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and relevant legislation and guidance.
- Confident in assessing risk, analysing complex family dynamics, and delivering effective interventions that support children to remain safely within their families wherever possible.
- Skilled communicator, able to build trusted relationships with children, families, and multi-agency professionals.
- Ability to listen, observe, and engage with empathy, enabling restorative work and meaningful difference.
- Organised and resilient, capable of managing demanding workload, maintaining accurate records, and producing clear high-quality reports.
- Confident using IT systems and committed to delivering high standards of practice.
- Strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and families while working collaboratively and upholding values of trust, honesty, responsibility, inclusivity, and empathy.
We Offer
- Salary range of £36,363 - £40,777 per annum (£40,777 – £45,091 for Senior Practitioner roles)
- Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
- Welcome Payment: £10,000
- Retention payment: £2,000 - £4,000 depending on team
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
- Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. Purchase additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including possible job-sharing, part-time hours, and agile working
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Benefits: access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits (savings, cash back, discounts)
Contact
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk.
EEO and Equality
We confirm that the role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.
Sponsorship
We can provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for successful candidates who are already living in the UK and have a minimum of two years’ UK-based experience in the relevant team or discipline. No overseas visa sponsorship at this time.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land C&YP Social Worker Family Help - Central Locality in Hereford
✨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 WMJobs.
✨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 WMJobs!
✨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 WMJobs, 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 WMJobs 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 C&YP Social Worker Family Help - Central Locality in Hereford
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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WMJobs! 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 WMJobs
✨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.
