Social Worker (Family Connections Service)

Hampshire County Council; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a dedicated Social Worker for its Family Connections Service in Basingstoke. The role involves helping children maintain family connections and thrive outside of the care system. Responsibilities include assessing and supporting carers, contributing to service development, and collaborating with multi-agency teams. Candidates should hold a Social Work qualification, possess strong safeguarding knowledge, and demonstrate effective communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Up to £8,500 relocation assistance

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Advise on potential family and friends' carers.
• Complete assessments for Special Guardianship or fostering roles.
• Support carers to provide safe, nurturing homes.
• Contribute to service development.

Skills

Understanding of safeguarding

Experience with multi-agency teams

Clear report-writing skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Analytical assessment skills

Flexibility to travel

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

Social Worker (Family Connections Service)

Job Reference: HCC623009

Salary Range: £40,643 - £48,077 per annum (actual salary for part-time role £24,166 - £28,586 per annum), inclusive of up to £3,000 pro-rata, per annum Market Supplement

Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke or Beech Hurst, Andover (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37 or 22

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 22 January 2026

Interview Date: 5 February 2026

The Role:

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.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Social Worker role, team and our values. The section About you explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• 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. Find more information here.

We have vacancies available for 37 and 22 hours per week in Basingstoke, and a 37 hour per week vacancy in Andover. Please indicate in your application which option(s) you would like to be considered for.

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.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested 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.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.