OR– Social Worker – Family – South Locality

Permanent

3 days per week in the office

Job Title: Social Worker – Family Help – South Locality

Salary: HC8 £ 36,363 – £40,777 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year £41,363 – £45,777)

Welcome payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37

Location: Ross on Wye

Relocation package: up to £10,000

Closing date: 31 Aug 2026

Delivering Good quality services through Outstanding Leadership – Ofsted

Introduction

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated qualified Social Worker to join our Family Help locality team. In this role, you will work closely with children, their families, colleagues across the Directorate, and partner agencies to deliver a range of support and intervention services aimed at promoting the wellbeing, safety, and positive outcomes of children with a Family Help plan.

You will play a key role in safeguarding children, working in partnership with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) where concerns arise, and contributing to timely and effective protective interventions. The role requires a strong commitment to high-quality practice within the statutory framework, including the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, and Working Together 2026, supporting the principles of the Families First Programme.

We are proud of our restorative approach to social work – a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice: senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.

Curious about what it’s really like to be a Social Worker with us?

Want to know what it really feels like to work with our passionate and dedicated Social Work teams? This short video gives you a glimpse into the heart of our service and shows why Herefordshire Council could be the perfect place for your next career move.

As a Social Worker within the Family Help team, you will play a vital role in supporting children, young people, and their families to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes. Working within a locality-based team, you will lead and manage a complex caseload, acting as the Family Help Lead Practitioner to deliver effective help, protection, and intervention.

You’ll assess needs, identify risks, and develop tailored Family Help Plans, working closely with partner agencies to ensure coordinated and multi‑agency support. The role includes chairing and contributing to key meetings such as Child in Need, core group, and strategy discussions, as well as undertaking risk assessments and safeguarding work when concerns arise.

You will build strong, restorative relationships with families and professionals, enabling meaningful change while promoting the safety and welfare of children, including those in the looked‑after system. Accurate recording, report writing (including court work), and contributing to decision‑making are key aspects of the role.

You are a qualified Social Worker (Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) with current Social Work England registration and a strong commitment to ongoing professional development.

You bring experience of working with children and families in a statutory social care setting, with a solid understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and relevant legislation and guidance. You are confident in assessing risk, analysing complex family dynamics, and delivering effective interventions that support children to remain safely within their families wherever possible.

You are a skilled communicator, able to build trusted relationships with children, families, and multi‑agency professionals. Your ability to listen, observe, and engage with empathy enables you to work restoratively and make a meaningful difference.

Organised and resilient, you can manage a demanding workload, maintain accurate records, and produce clear and high‑quality reports. You are confident using IT systems and committed to delivering high standards of practice.

Above all, you share a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and families while working collaboratively and upholding values of trust,…