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Hampshire County Council; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured EAP

Flexible working

LGPS

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a Social Worker for the Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team in Southampton. You will guide prospective foster carers from enquiry to full assessment, building strong relationships and safeguarding children.

The role supports flexible working and professional development within an Outstanding local authority fostering service. You will contribute to expanding fostering and ensuring safe, nurturing homes for children.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.

Responsibilities

• Support and guide prospective foster carers from their first enquiry, helping them understand the role and encouraging them to take the next step.
• Conduct initial screenings, home visits, and full fostering assessments to determine suitability of applicants.
• Build strong relationships with applicants, supporting them through the assessment journey.
• Make robust safeguarding decisions and work in partnership with other agencies to protect vulnerable individuals.
• Attend recruitment events and engage with the public to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about fostering.
• Deliver training and support to prospective carers to help them feel confident and prepared for fostering.

Job description

Social Worker (Fostering Recruitment and Assessment) HCC625051

As a Social Worker in our Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team, you’ll play a key role in guiding prospective foster carers through their journey – from initial enquiry to full assessment. You’ll join a passionate, multi-disciplinary team committed to expanding Hampshire’s fostering community and ensuring that children who cannot live with their own families have the opportunity to thrive in safe, nurturing foster homes.

With around 500 fostering households already supporting children across the county, we’re looking to expand further to meet rising demand. Your role will be key in helping children stay close to their schools, friends, and families by inspiring and guiding more people to take the step to foster.

What you’ll do:

• Support and guide prospective foster carers from their first enquiry, helping them understand the role and encouraging them to take the next step.
• Conduct initial screenings, home visits, and full fostering assessments to determine suitability of applicants.
• Build strong relationships with applicants, supporting them through the assessment journey.
• Make robust safeguarding decisions and work in partnership with other agencies to protect vulnerable individuals.
• Attend recruitment events and engage with the public to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about fostering.
• Deliver training and support to prospective carers to help them feel confident and prepared for fostering.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England. Due to the needs of the team, we’re unable to consider Newly Qualified Social Workers for this post.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and legislative frameworks underpinning fostering and Children in Care.
• Experience working with foster carers, children in care, and multi‑agency teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across teams and with prospective carers.
• Clear and analytical report‑writing and assessment skills, supporting sound, evidence‑based decisions.
• Be part of an Outstanding local authority fostering service, making a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
• Work in a supportive, collaborative team that values your development.
• Benefit from flexible working, including home working and professional development opportunities.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Why join us?

• Be part of an Outstanding local authority fostering service, making a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
• Work in a supportive, collaborative team that values your development.
• Benefit from flexible working, including home working and professional development opportunities.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Other job titles you may be searching for: Fostering Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Family Placement Social Worker, Children in Care Social Worker, Looked After Children Social Worker, Assessing Social Worker.

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Company Details

• Company: Hampshire County Council
• Salary: £41,985 to £49,565 a year
• Hours: Full-time
• Location: Southampton, SO31 7HD
• Working pattern: Hybrid - 4 days remote
• Job type: Permanent
• Posting date: 14 Sept 2026
• Closing date: 29 Sept 2026