Social Worker (Family Connections Service)

Hampshire County Council; Andover; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in England is seeking a qualified Social Worker for their Family Connections Service. This role involves assessing and supporting potential family carers for children in care, ensuring they have the tools to provide nurturing environments. You will collaborate with various professionals and contribute to service development. The position offers flexible working arrangements, development opportunities, and relocation support. If you are passionate about advocating for children and families, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Flexible working including a 9-day fortnight

Career development opportunities

Up to £8,500 relocation assistance

Access to comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave and occupational sick pay

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Experience working with Children in Care and multi-agency teams.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and legislative frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Advise Children’s Social Workers to identify potential family and friends’ carers.
• Complete assessments of connected carers for Special Guardianship.
• Deliver ongoing support to carers to ensure positive outcomes for children.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Clear and analytical report-writing skills

Experience working with Children in Care

Ability to work flexibly

Strong understanding of safeguarding

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

As a Social Worker in our Family Connections Service, you’ll play a vital role in helping children remain within their family networks and thrive outside of the care system. Your work will ensure children grow up in familiar, stable environments where they can flourish. You’ll assess, prepare, and support carers who have a connection to the child, working collaboratively with Social Workers, Team Managers, and legal representatives to deliver a whole-family approach to care planning.

Our specialist team works closely with Children’s Social Work teams and other professionals to deliver safe, effective care within family networks. With over 900 children supported under Special Guardianship Orders and an average of 200 kinship carers in assessment, this is a dynamic and evolving service where your contribution will make a real difference.

What you’ll do

• Advise Children’s Social Workers to identify and engage potential family and friends’ carers.
• Complete thorough assessments of connected carers for Special Guardianship or fostering roles.
• Equip carers with the knowledge and confidence to provide safe, nurturing homes.
• Deliver ongoing support to carers to ensure stability and positive outcomes for children.
• Contribute to service development, helping more children remain within their family networks.

What we’re looking for

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and legislative frameworks underpinning fostering and Children in Care.
• Experience working with Children in Care and multi-agency teams.
• Clear and analytical report-writing and assessment skills, supporting sound, evidence-based decisions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across teams and with prospective carers.
• Ability to work flexibly and travel across a large geographical area.

Why join us

• Work in a collaborative, high-performing team with a clear vision for positive outcomes.
• Flexible working, including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance.
• Career development opportunities, including 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning through our DfE ‘Partner in Practice’ initiative.
• Up to £8,500 relocation assistance for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
• 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.
• Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.

Important:

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

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Child Protection Social Worker, Looked After Children Social Worker, Kinship Social Worker, Connected Carer Social Worker, Children in Care Social Worker, Supervising Social Worker, Fostering Social Worker.