Special Guardianship & Private Fostering Social Worker

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Social Worker to join our Kinship Support Team, helping children and families thrive through stability, strong relationships, and high‑quality support.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role in shaping and delivering services for Special Guardians, kinship carers, and private fostering households, making a real impact on the lives of children across the city.

As a key member of the Kinship Support Team, you’ll combine hands‑on practice with leadership responsibilities, supporting both families and fellow practitioners.

You will:

• Lead on Special Guardianship support, private fostering, and therapeutic funding (ASGSF)
• Provide guidance and informal supervision to colleagues
• Oversee support plans and case progression to improve outcomes for children
• Monitor performance, data, and service delivery
• Work closely with families, carers, and partner agencies

• Offer day‑to‑day advice, guidance, and coaching to team members
• Champion trauma‑informed and restorative practice

• Lead and develop the SGO support service
• Provide expert advice and direct support to carers
• Ensure timely responses through duty systems

• Manage funding applications and assessments
• Work with therapeutic providers and manage demand
• Ensure high‑quality, timely submissions

• Act as the service lead for private fostering
• Promote awareness and ensure statutory compliance
• Work with families and professionals to safeguard children

We are looking for someone who is:

• A qualified Social Worker with current registration
• Experienced in children’s social care, particularly kinship or fostering
• Knowledgeable in Special Guardianship, kinship care, and private fostering
• Confident supporting or guiding other practitioners
• Skilled in assessment, analysis, and report writing
• An excellent communicator who thrives in partnership working

You will be required to work at least 2 working days in office.

We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria. However, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.

We are unable to offer sponsorship on this role.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.