Social Worker - Fostering

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | Children’s Services
£33.30 per hour (Umbrella) | Locum contract (Maternity Cover)
Working pattern: Hybrid working (office presence in line with service need)

Solihull MBC are looking for an experienced Advanced Practitioner to join their Children in Care service on a maternity cover contract. This is a strong opportunity to step into a stable authority with clear direction — and with Solihull recently achieving a Good Ofsted rating, it’s a great time to join a service that’s moving forward with confidence.

If you’re confident with court work, permanency planning, and working at pace in statutory children’s services, this role offers the right mix of challenge, team support, and purposeful work.

About the Role

You’ll manage and progress Children in Care cases end-to-end, ensuring all statutory responsibilities are met to a consistently high standard. The team supports children through key stages of their care journey, working towards long-term stability through adoption, fostering, connected persons arrangements, or reunification where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

  • Undertake full statutory Children in Care responsibilities including care planning, visiting, reviews, and permanency progression.

  • Complete court work across all stages, from Interim Care Orders through to final hearings and case conclusion.

  • Lead on PLO processes, including pre-proceedings planning, evidence gathering, and timely decision-making.

  • Maintain oversight of Child Protection and Child in Need duties where required, ensuring robust risk assessment and safeguarding responses.

  • Produce high-quality assessments, statements, care plans, and reports that stand up to scrutiny in legal settings.

  • Work closely with families, carers, legal representatives and partner agencies to achieve safe, stable and sustainable outcomes.

  • Support team working and case progression, with children’s lived experience at the centre of all planning and decision-making.

Practice Model

Solihull’s Children’s Services have strengthened practice and leadership to deliver improved outcomes for children and families — reflected in their recent Good Ofsted judgement.
The service prioritises purposeful permanency planning, timely decision-making, and strong multi-agency working to ensure children experience stability, safety and consistent support.

Requirements

  • Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)

  • Registered with Social Work England

  • Significant experience within a Children in Care team

  • Strong confidence in court work and legal processes

  • Sound knowledge of statutory duties across CIC, CIN, CP and PLO

  • Able to work autonomously, manage competing deadlines, and drive cases forward

Benefits

  • £33.30 per hour umbrella rate

  • Hybrid working approach

  • Opportunity to join a service on a positive journey following a Good Ofsted rating

  • Valuable exposure to meaningful permanency and court-based work

  • Supportive team environment with clear priorities and direction

Interested?

Get in touch with Emily Cooper to apply or find out more:
07745 200325 | 01635 226350
ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com

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