Social Worker - Kinship Assessor

Staffordshire County Council; Stafford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council is seeking a passionate social worker to join its Kinship Assessment Team. This role involves reducing the number of looked after children by supporting kinship arrangements. The ideal candidate will hold a professional social work qualification, possess exceptional communication skills, and have experience in social work practice. Flexible working arrangements are supported, and a comprehensive benefits program is provided.

Benefits

Work-life balance initiatives

Access to rewards and benefits program

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England.
• Experience in various aspects of social work.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Undertake Viability Assessments and Special Guardianship Reports.
• Support and supervise temporarily approved Foster Carers.
• Prepare applicants for Foster Panel.

Skills

Communication

Report Writing

Organizational Skills

Education

Professional social work qualification

Job description

Are you passionate about kinship care?

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work within one of our Kinship Assessment Teams.

It is our commitment as a team to reduce the number of looked after children in our care by not only alleviating any barriers that may prevent a child from being able to remain in their family & friends' network but also for a carer in progressing to a permanency route which best suits their family life. Most importantly, our goal is to act in a child's best interest.

The teams are both stable and benefit from experienced staff who are approachable and supportive. We are a county-wide service, so you will undertake visits to connected carers across various areas. Home working is encouraged.

Main Responsibilities

• Undertake Viability Assessments, Full Connected Persons Assessments, and Special Guardianship Reports.
• Support and supervise carers who have been temporarily approved as Foster Carers.
• Prepare applicants for Foster Panel and support them during their attendance.
• Provide duty cover on a rota basis.
• Develop knowledge of legal orders and create support plans for Special Guardianship Orders, utilizing training and events provided by our service.

As part of this dynamic service, you will engage in smarter working practices to continuously improve, offering positive experiences for applicants and producing high-quality reports.

The Ideal Candidate

You will need a professional social work qualification with registration with Social Work England.

Additionally, you should be able to:

• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Be highly organized and manage a busy workload to meet deadlines.
• Understand Fostering and Special Guardianship Regulations.
• Possess good report writing and communication skills.
• Have experience across various aspects of social work.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

If you'd like to discuss the role further, please contact Team Manager Kathryn White at [e-mail] or Garry Davis at [e-mail].

Interviews are scheduled for 1 July 2025.

Our Recruitment Process

We anonymize applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight your suitability for the role.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are a distinctive county council:

Our Values:

Our values are central to our identity as an organization. They were developed through staff feedback and best practices and are embedded in our People Strategy.

We foster a strong sense of community, pride, and ambition, aiming for a better future for Staffordshire and supporting your career development.

Our Benefits

We recognize that our employees are vital to our success. We strive to provide a supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance and personal growth.

As a staff member, you will have access to our rewards and benefits program through Careers at Staffordshire.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers must share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and communities.

We offer a guaranteed interview for applicants who meet the minimum criteria, as part of our commitment to supporting care leavers, armed forces personnel, and individuals with disabilities.

This position is subject to a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants should disclose any relevant criminal history in their application.