Social Worker – Family Safeguarding Team

Social Worker – Family Safeguarding Team
(Herefordshire Council, Ross-on-Wye)

£10,000 Welcome Bonus + £10,000 Relocation Package + £4,000 Annual Retention

Salary: Up to £50,091 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible hybrid working
Contract: Permanent, full-time

About the Role

Herefordshire Council is committed to transforming outcomes for children and families through the Family Safeguarding model — one of the most progressive and supportive approaches in children’s social care. This model focuses on keeping families together safely by tackling the root causes of harm through strengths-based work, multi-agency collaboration, and specialist support.

Please note: Sponsorship is available, but only for candidates with a minimum of 2 years’ UK social work experience. Applications without UK experience will not be considered.

Based in the market town of Ross-on-Wye, this role offers the best of both worlds: a supportive, forward-thinking workplace and the chance to enjoy Herefordshire’s rural lifestyle, surrounded by countryside, good schools, and strong community values. With hybrid flexibility, you’ll have the balance of office collaboration and home working.

Key Responsibilities

  • Undertake holistic assessments of children and families within the Family Safeguarding framework.
  • Provide direct support to parents to reduce risks linked to domestic abuse, mental health, and substance misuse.
  • Ensure children’s voices are central to all planning and decision-making.
  • Develop and implement robust safety and care plans.
  • Work alongside partner agencies and Family Safeguarding specialists to deliver joined-up interventions.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records on the Mosaic case management system.
  • Engage in reflective supervision and contribute to continuous team learning.

Practice Model & System Used

Herefordshire delivers services through the Family Safeguarding model, designed to help parents make positive changes and keep families together where safe to do so. The approach is strengths-based and supported by tools such as motivational interviewing, graded care profiles, and family group conferencing.

Casework is managed on the Mosaic system, ensuring efficient recording and integrated working across agencies.

Requirements

  • Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England (SWE) registration.
  • Minimum of 2 years’ UK social work experience (essential for sponsorship eligibility).
  • Applications without UK experience will not be considered.
  • Experience in children’s services, ideally in safeguarding or family support.
  • Skilled in assessment, planning, and managing risk.
  • Ability to work effectively with multi-agency partners.
  • Commitment to professional development and reflective practice.

Benefits

  • £10,000 Welcome Bonus.
  • £10,000 Relocation Package to support your move to Herefordshire.
  • £4,000 Retention Bonus after your first year, payable annually thereafter.
  • Sponsorship available (only for candidates with a minimum of 2 years’ UK experience — no exceptions).
  • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
  • Protected professional development time and budget.
  • Career pathways through the Social Care Academy, with opportunities to progress into supervisory or Practice Educator roles.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support and counselling).
  • Electric car pool/rental scheme.
  • Referral bonus of up to £500 for successful recommendations.

Interested?

If you’d like to apply, please email your CV to jdacosta@sheldon-phillips.com or click the Apply button.

Have questions? Call me on 01635 226350 and I’ll be happy to talk things through.