Qualified Social Worker

Hampshire County Council; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking local authority as a Qualified Social Worker in the Family Connections Service. This role is vital in helping children thrive within their family networks, ensuring they live outside the care system. You will assess and support potential carers, working collaboratively to create a holistic care plan. With a commitment to excellence, this outstanding service offers excellent development opportunities and a chance to influence social work practices. If you're passionate about making a difference in children's lives, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

25 - 28 days annual leave

Hybrid tablet device

Employee Support Services

Career progression opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Relocation assistance up to £8,500

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with experience in family connections and child welfare.
• Strong assessment and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assess and support carers for children outside the care system.
• Collaborate with social workers and legal representatives.

Skills

Social Work

Assessment Skills

Communication Skills

Collaborative Working

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

Qualified Social Worker

Job Reference: HCC620391
Salary Range: £39,382 - £43,679 per annum, plus Market Supplement of up to £3,000 per annum
Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke
Hours per week: 37 (part-time hours will be considered)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 2 April 2025

The Role:

Are you passionate about helping more children live within their family networks outside of the care system? We are looking for exceptional Social Workers who are enthusiastic about being part of our Family Connections Service. You will play a vital role in helping more children to live and thrive within their family networks outside of the care system. This is an expanding service, and we are investing heavily to support children and families in our community.

In this service, you will assess, prepare and support carers who have a connection to the child. You will be working collaboratively with the child's social worker, team manager, and legal representatives to deliver a whole family approach to the care planning.

The new Family Connections Service will be responsible for:

• Advising children's social workers to help them identify and engage potential carers
• Assessing carers as special guardians or foster carers
• Providing/facilitating support to carers to prepare to take on this caring role
• Providing/facilitating long-term support to carers to ensure successful outcomes for children
• Contributing towards our strategy of increasing the number of children placed with family and friends carers outside of the care system (for example with Special Guardians)

Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, you will be joining Hampshire County Council's Children's Services which is one of the top local authorities in the country. Our transformation journey over the past five years has seen us develop a range of new services and ways of working, including this service.

As part of our work as a Department for Education 'Partner in Practice', you will be provided excellent development opportunities. Our Children's Social Workers are offered the unique opportunity to lead by example, trailblazing new ways of working to update and enhance social work practice across the country.

Furthermore, The Department for Education's most recent report on its 'Children's Social Care Innovation Programme' outlines that our successful 'Hampshire Approach' has led to swifter and better outcomes for children and young people.

Why Hampshire?

We will provide you with:

• 25 - 28 days annual leave based on experience and length of service.
• A hybrid tablet device, so you can work more effectively and flexibly.
• Access to free and confidential Employee Support for you and your immediate family (including 24/7 counselling and advice).
• Salary and career progression.
• Opportunity to become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contribution included.
• Flexible working options to fit around today's lifestyles.
• Assistance with relocation by offering up to £8,500 for experienced social workers wanting to move to Hampshire (subject to management approval).

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, and as per safer recruitment requirements, please note we will take up references prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers, and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.