Social Worker

Herefordshire Council; Eyton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market rate supplement

Welcome payment

Retention payment

Relocation support

LGPS

Job summary

Herefordshire Council is seeking a passionate qualified Social Worker to join the Family Help locality team. You will work with children, their families and partner agencies to deliver safeguarding, intervention and support under the Family Help plan.

You will assess needs, chair key meetings, and manage risk while maintaining high standards of recording and report writing. You will contribute to decisions within statutory guidance and drive outcomes that protect children, offering restorative

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Experience in statutory social care and safeguarding.
• Ability to assess risk, analyse family dynamics and deliver interventions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a complex caseload within the Family Help locality team.
• Chair and contribute to Child in Need, core group, and strategy meetings.
• Undertake safeguarding work and develop Family Help Plans in partnership with agencies.
• Record accurately and produce high-quality reports, including court work.

Skills

Risk assessment

Communication

Report writing

Multi-agency collaboration

IT systems

Education

Social Work Degree

DipSW/CQSW or equivalent

Tools

IT systems

Job description

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 are able to 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. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work - a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice: senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases. Curious about what it's really like to be a Social Worker with us?, 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.

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the "Disability Confident" scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.

You are a qualified Social Worker (Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) with current Social Work England registration and a strong commitment to ongoing professional development. You bring 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. You are confident in assessing risk, analysing complex family dynamics, and delivering effective interventions that support children to remain safely within their families wherever possible. You are a skilled communicator, able to build trusted relationships with children, families, and multi-agency professionals. Your ability to listen, observe, and engage with empathy enables you to work restoratively and make a meaningful difference. Organised and resilient, you can manage a demanding workload, maintain accurate records, and produce clear and high-quality reports. You are confident using IT systems and committed to delivering high standards of practice. Above all, you share a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and families while working collaboratively and upholding values of trust, honesty, responsibility, inclusivity, and empathy.

Sponsorship Available (UK Only): 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.

We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We're a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together. Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England's most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It's an exciting time to join us. We're investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You'll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care. If you're committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.

A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

• Salary range of £37,563 - £42,123 per annum (£42,123 - £46,579 for Senior Practitioner roles)
• Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
• Welcome Payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)
• 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. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for 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)
• Pick your perks - our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.