Social Worker (Fostering Recruitment And Assessment)

Shared Services Partnership; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Home working

Professional development

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a Qualified Social Worker to join the Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team. You will guide prospective foster carers through their journey from initial enquiry to full assessment, helping children stay connected with schools, friends and families.

You will conduct home visits, assessments and safeguarding decisions while working with multi‑agency partners. Flexible, hybrid working options are available along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Newly Qualified Social Workers not considered for this post.
• Experience with foster carers, children in care, and multi‑agency teams.

Responsibilities

• Guide prospective foster carers from first inquiry through to full assessment.
• Conduct initial screenings, home visits and fostering assessments.
• Build relationships with applicants and support their assessment journey.
• Make safeguarding decisions and work with partner agencies to protect vulnerable individuals.
• Attend recruitment events and deliver training to prospective carers.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Report writing

Education

Qualified Social Worker (SW England)

Job description

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC625051
Salary Range: £41,985 - £49,565 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of up to £3,000 per annum
Work Location: Glen Lodge, Swanick (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 29 September 2026
Interview Date: 12 October 2026

The Role:

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.

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.

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. Find more information here.

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: Fostering Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Family Placement Social Worker, Children in Care Social Worker, Looked After Children Social Worker, Assessing 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.

Additional Information:

Social Worker (Fostering Recruitment and Assessment) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This 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:

For general enquiries, please contact [e-mail]

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Sam Horton, Team Manager (Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team) on [e-mail].

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.