Supervising Social Worker

Hampshire County Council; Alton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Home working

Professional development opportunities

Health & wellbeing support

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a Supervising Social Worker to support North East Hampshire foster carers. You will supervise, train, and guide carers, ensuring safe, stable homes for children in care.

The role sits in the East Fostering Team with a strong Ofsted-outstanding service reputation. You’ll manage a caseload, prepare reports for panels and court proceedings, and collaborate with partners to secure positive outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE).
• Experience working with foster carers, children in care, and multi-agency teams.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and legislation.
• Excellent communication, assessment, and report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular supervision, support, and crisis intervention to foster carers.
• Manage a caseload in line with statutory and departmental procedures.
• Prepare and present reports for fostering panels, reviews, and legal proceedings.
• Deliver training and facilitate support groups for foster carers.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to secure the best outcomes for children.

Skills

Qualified Social Worker

Experience with foster carers

Safeguarding knowledge

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

SWE registration

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Supervising Social Worker

Job Reference: HCC625079

Salary Range: £41,985 - £49,565 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of up to £3,000 per annum

Work Location: Park House, Alton (Hybrid Working)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 4 October 2026

Interview Date: 16 or 19 October 2026

The Role:

Make a lasting impact as a Supervising Social Worker in our East Fostering Team, supporting foster carers across North East Hampshire who provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children in care. In this vital role, you’ll work closely with carers to build their confidence and skills, ensuring they have the training, guidance, and support needed to transform young lives.

Our Fostering Service supports around 500 fostering households and is proud to be part of a wider service rated Outstanding by Ofsted. You’ll be joining a well-established, high-performing team that shares a clear vision: to make Hampshire an even better place where every child and young person - including those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged - has the best possible start in life and is supported by the whole community to succeed.

What you’ll do:

• Provide regular supervision, support, and crisis intervention to foster carers.
• Manage a caseload in line with statutory and departmental procedures.
• Prepare and present reports for fostering panels, reviews, and legal proceedings.
• Deliver training and facilitate support groups for foster carers.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to secure the best outcomes for children.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England (SWE). Due to the needs of the team, we’re unable to consider Newly Qualified Social Workers for this post.
• Experience working with foster carers, children in care, and multi-agency teams.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication, assessment, and report writing skills.
• A motivated, organised team player with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Supervising 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.

• Be part of an Outstanding local authority fostering service making a real difference.
• 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: Supervising Social Work Practitioner, Fostering Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Social Worker - Fostering, Family Placement 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.