Salary: £36,363 - £40,777, plus £5,000 market supplement
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Leominster
Welcome payment: £10,000 (subject to guidance)
Relocation support: Up to £10,000 available

Herefordshire Council is looking to recruit a committed and capable Children’s Social Worker to join its Assessment & Support Service on a permanent basis.

This is an opportunity to join a local authority that is continuing to strengthen children’s services and invest in high-quality practice. Working across locality-based teams in Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Leominster, you will be part of a service focused on timely intervention, collaborative working and achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.

The Assessment & Support Service is made up of three teams, each operating from a locality office and made up of a Team Manager, Senior Practitioner, Social Workers and Family Support Workers. This structure supports close team working, accessible management oversight and strong professional support.

Herefordshire’s approach to practice is rooted in restorative social work. Reflection, collaboration and relationship-based work are central to how the service operates, and managers are available to offer support when complexity and risk require clear guidance.

A short video about working in Herefordshire Children’s Services can be viewed here:
https://youtu.be/FSjU-FV5uic

The role

As a Social Worker in the Assessment & Support Team, you will play a vital role in responding to children, young people and families at the point they need help most.

You will complete timely, high-quality assessments to understand the needs, risks and strengths within each family, ensuring that children’s voices remain central to planning and decision-making. Your role will involve working directly with children and families, alongside colleagues across the directorate and partner agencies, to determine the most appropriate support and intervention.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Responding to referrals in a timely and child-focused way
• Completing assessments that are analytical, evidence-based and outcome-focused
• Identifying risk, need and protective factors to inform decision-making
• Investigating concerns and determining the most appropriate support for children and families
• Working collaboratively with families and professionals to promote positive and sustainable change
• Taking decisive action where children require safeguarding and protection

This is a frontline role that requires sound judgement, strong assessment skills and the ability to work purposefully with families from the earliest point of involvement.

Herefordshire is continuing its improvement journey, and this post offers the chance to make a real contribution to the development of the service while improving outcomes for children and young people across the county.

We are looking for a Social Worker who brings both strong professional capability and a clear commitment to improving the lives of children and families.

To be considered, you should be able to demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and families through high-quality assessment and timely intervention
• Good analytical, planning and decision-making skills, with the ability to understand and respond to each child’s individual needs
• Confidence in working collaboratively with families, colleagues and partner agencies
• The resilience and professional judgement needed to manage complex situations effectively
• A reflective and thoughtful approach to practice, with a commitment to learning and development
• The ability to work well in a supportive but fast-paced team environment
• A child-centred approach that keeps safety, wellbeing and long-term outcomes at the forefront of practice

You must also hold:

• A recognised Social Work qualification such as Degree in Social Work, DipSW or CQSW
• Current Social Work England registration

What Herefordshire offers

Herefordshire Council offers a strong package of salary, benefits and professional support, including:

• Salary from £36,363 to £40,777
• Annual market supplement of £5,000
• £10,000 welcome payment subject to guidance
• Retention payment of £2,000 to £4,000, depending on team
• Relocation support of up to £10,000
• Protected time and investment in professional development
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Clear progression opportunities and career pathways
• 31 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• The option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave
• Flexible working arrangements, including agile working, part-time working and job share where appropriate
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Payment of professional membership fees where applicable
• A benefits package offering discounts, savings and cashback across retail, travel, leisure and health

Why join Herefordshire?

Herefordshire is a historic and distinctive county on the Welsh border, known for its market towns, rural communities and strong sense of place. More importantly, it is a local authority committed to strengthening children’s services and supporting the workforce behind them.

The council’s priority is straightforward: to keep children safe and help them achieve the best possible start in life. That commitment is supported by investment in relational practice, experienced leadership and ongoing professional development, alongside partnership working with Leeds City Council as improvement partner.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Social Worker who wants to join a supportive service, develop their practice and make a meaningful difference to children and families.

If you are ready for your next move in children’s services, Herefordshire would like to hear from you.