Social Worker – Fostering Kinship (Social Care Qualified)
| Posting date: | 13 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £45,777 per year, pro rata |
| Additional salary information: | Salary: £40,777 per annum (HC8 £36,363–£40,777 + £5,000 market rate supplement) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 February 2026 |
| Location: | Hereford, Herefordshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Neway International Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | OR21029 |
Summary
Neway International are seeking a Social Worker – Fostering Kinship to join our client based with Herefordshire Council.
Location: Plough Lane, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 0LE
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Start Date: 30 March 2026
Salary: £40,777 per annum (HC8 £36,363–£40,777 + £5,000 market rate supplement)
Additional Payments:
£10,000 welcome payment
£2,000–£4,000 retention payment (team dependent)
Relocation package up to £10,000
About the Client
Herefordshire Council’s Fostering Kinship Team sits within Children’s Wellbeing > Safeguarding and Family Support > Looked After Children > Fostering Service. The team includes a Team Manager, Managing Practitioner, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and a Family Support Worker, all working collaboratively to support children and families.
The service is proud of its restorative, relational approach to social work. Reflection, collaboration, and strong managerial support are embedded in everyday practice. The Council is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people and is working closely with its improvement partner, Leeds City Council, to strengthen practice and culture.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker with experience in fostering or kinship care to join a specialist team dedicated to supporting children to remain safely within their family networks.
You will focus on completing full kinship assessments for connected persons, ensuring that each assessment is robust, evidence-based, and centred on the child’s needs. You will work closely with families, children, and professionals to explore the suitability of kinship placements and contribute to best practice across the service.
Key Responsibilities
Completing full connected persons (kinship) assessments, including viability assessments and Special Guardianship reports.
Engaging sensitively with families to understand strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Working collaboratively with fostering and safeguarding colleagues.
Presenting assessments to fostering panels.
Supporting the development of best practice in kinship care.
Candidate Requirements
Experience completing assessments within fostering, kinship care, or a related area.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess risk, attachment, and family dynamics.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with families and professionals.
Commitment to supporting children to remain within their family networks wherever safe and appropriate.
Registered with Social Work England.
Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW).
What We Offer
Salary: £36,363–£40,777 per annum
Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
Welcome payment: £10,000
Retention payment: £2,000–£4,000 (team dependent)
Relocation package: up to £10,000
31 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 10 days
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Flexible working options, including job share and agile working
Protected professional development time and training budget
Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support)
Payment of professional membership fees (role dependent)
Access to a wide range of retail, leisure, and wellbeing benefits
Why Choose Herefordshire Council
Herefordshire is a beautiful rural county with strong communities, vibrant market towns, and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families. The Council is investing in its workforce, strengthening relational practice, and building a culture of collaboration, support, and continuous improvement.
Your work will make a meaningful difference to children and young people across the county.
Location: Plough Lane, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 0LE
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Start Date: 30 March 2026
Salary: £40,777 per annum (HC8 £36,363–£40,777 + £5,000 market rate supplement)
Additional Payments:
£10,000 welcome payment
£2,000–£4,000 retention payment (team dependent)
Relocation package up to £10,000
About the Client
Herefordshire Council’s Fostering Kinship Team sits within Children’s Wellbeing > Safeguarding and Family Support > Looked After Children > Fostering Service. The team includes a Team Manager, Managing Practitioner, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and a Family Support Worker, all working collaboratively to support children and families.
The service is proud of its restorative, relational approach to social work. Reflection, collaboration, and strong managerial support are embedded in everyday practice. The Council is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people and is working closely with its improvement partner, Leeds City Council, to strengthen practice and culture.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker with experience in fostering or kinship care to join a specialist team dedicated to supporting children to remain safely within their family networks.
You will focus on completing full kinship assessments for connected persons, ensuring that each assessment is robust, evidence-based, and centred on the child’s needs. You will work closely with families, children, and professionals to explore the suitability of kinship placements and contribute to best practice across the service.
Key Responsibilities
Completing full connected persons (kinship) assessments, including viability assessments and Special Guardianship reports.
Engaging sensitively with families to understand strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Working collaboratively with fostering and safeguarding colleagues.
Presenting assessments to fostering panels.
Supporting the development of best practice in kinship care.
Candidate Requirements
Experience completing assessments within fostering, kinship care, or a related area.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess risk, attachment, and family dynamics.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with families and professionals.
Commitment to supporting children to remain within their family networks wherever safe and appropriate.
Registered with Social Work England.
Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW).
What We Offer
Salary: £36,363–£40,777 per annum
Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
Welcome payment: £10,000
Retention payment: £2,000–£4,000 (team dependent)
Relocation package: up to £10,000
31 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 10 days
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Flexible working options, including job share and agile working
Protected professional development time and training budget
Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support)
Payment of professional membership fees (role dependent)
Access to a wide range of retail, leisure, and wellbeing benefits
Why Choose Herefordshire Council
Herefordshire is a beautiful rural county with strong communities, vibrant market towns, and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families. The Council is investing in its workforce, strengthening relational practice, and building a culture of collaboration, support, and continuous improvement.
Your work will make a meaningful difference to children and young people across the county.