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- Tasks: Conduct assessments and support families in a dynamic social work environment.
- Company: Wokingham Borough Council, dedicated to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, market supplement, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualified and registered with experience in assessments.
- Other info: Join a friendly team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 49282 £ per year.
Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £42,839 – £49,282 per annum (plus additional £3k Market Supplement)
Location: Shute End, Wokingham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 26/10/2025 at 23:00
Reference:
Family & Friends Social Worker/Senior Social Worker: Family Placement Team
We have a great opportunity for a full time Family and Friends Social Worker (based in our Family Placement Team). This busy team is very experienced, highly supportive, friendly and enthusiastic about what they do. They work hard but also find time to celebrate achievements and good practice. The Family & Friends Team work closely and cooperatively with colleagues within the Family Placement Team, with social workers and managers from other Children\’s Services, and with the Joint Legal Team. The work is interesting, often complex and challenging but is crucial to achieving placement stability and permanence.
Main accountabilities of the role:
- Viability assessments, often jointly with social workers for children/young people.
- Private Fostering assessments.
- Form K (Connected Carer Assesment) and presenting to Fostering Panel.
- Special guardianship assessments for court, in conjunction with social workers for children/young people.
- Supporting and supervising carers in assessment.
- Taking part in the Family Placement Team (FPT) duty system, supporting colleagues and contributing to service delivery and development.
- Attending meetings and contributing to care planning decisions
- Conducting unannounced visits
- Supporting Reg 24 assessments
Given that the work involves completing assessments within specified timescales and against court deadlines, you must have good planning and organisational skills. We will support you to do this.
The ideal candidate will:
- Social Work Qualified
- Be Social Work England registered.
- Have experience of completing assessments and good report writing skills.
- Understand the statutory duties and responsibilities of Children\’s Services in this area of practice.
- Be committed to extending your knowledge, skills and experience through learning and development and working closely with others.
If you are interested please contact: Holli Blackburn, Team Manager (Family Placement Fostering Team) or Alix Williams, Recruitment & Retention Specialist, Childrens Social Care
Or to apply, please follow the link below to complete the online application form.
Closing date: Sunday 26th October 2025, at 11pm
Interviews will take place on: Tuesday 4th November, in person in Wokingham
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
Experienced Family and Friends/Fostering Social Worker- Family Placement Team employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Wokingham Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Family and Friends/Fostering Social Worker- Family Placement Team
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, especially those who might know someone at Wokingham Borough Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about the role or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of family placement practices and relevant legislation. We recommend having some real-life examples ready to showcase your experience with assessments and working collaboratively with teams.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in joining their supportive team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the team you'll be working with.
We think you need these skills to ace Experienced Family and Friends/Fostering Social Worker- Family Placement Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the role. We want to see how you fit into our Family Placement Team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Showcase Your Report Writing Skills: Since good report writing is key for this role, include examples of your previous assessments or reports in your application. We love seeing clear, concise, and well-structured writing that demonstrates your ability to meet court deadlines.
Be Organised and Timely: Given the nature of the work, it’s important to show us your planning and organisational skills. Make sure to submit your application before the deadline, and keep an eye on any follow-up communications from us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people quickly, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wokingham Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the statutory duties and responsibilities of Children's Services. Familiarise yourself with the specific assessments you'll be handling, like viability assessments and special guardianship assessments. This will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in completing assessments and report writing. Have specific examples ready that highlight your skills and how you've successfully navigated complex situations in the past. This will help the interviewers see how you can contribute to their team.
✨Be a Team Player
Since the Family Placement Team values collaboration, be ready to talk about how you've worked with colleagues in the past. Share examples of how you've supported others and contributed to service delivery. This will demonstrate that you’re a good fit for their friendly and supportive environment.
✨Plan and Organise
Given the importance of meeting deadlines in this role, be prepared to discuss your planning and organisational skills. You might want to share strategies you use to manage your workload effectively, especially when dealing with multiple assessments at once. This will reassure them that you can handle the demands of the job.