*PERMANENT*Job Title: Social Worker – Children in CareHours: 37 per weekSalary: HC8 £35,235 – £39,513 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year £40,235 - £44,513) Welcome payment: £10,000Relocation package of up to £10,000 availableContract: permanentDescriptionHerefordshire Council is seeking a committed and compassionate Social Worker to join our Looked After Children (LAC) team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in supporting children and young people in care to achieve stability, safety, and positive long-term outcomes.Based in the heart of Herefordshire, you’ll work as part of a close-knit and supportive team, where your professional development and wellbeing are valued as much as the children and families we support. Flexible working arrangements, manageable caseloads, and a clear progression pathway make this an ideal role for someone looking to thrive in a stable and rewarding environment.Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of looked after children, including those placed in foster care, residential homes, or kinship placements.
• Build meaningful relationships with children and young people to understand their lived experiences and advocate for their needs.
• Develop, implement, and review care plans that promote permanence and support the child’s best interests.
• Prepare high-quality reports for reviews, court proceedings, and planning meetings.
• Work in partnership with foster carers, schools, health professionals, and other agencies to provide coordinated, child-centred care.
• Promote placement stability, educational achievement, emotional wellbeing, and readiness for independence.
• Contribute to team discussions, audits, and service improvement initiatives.

A competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:  

• Social Worker starting salary: HC8 £35,235 – £39,513 per annum
• Market rate supplement: plus £5,000 per year
• Welcome payment: £10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children’s teams
• Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
• Pension Scheme: Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
• Professional development: protected time and budget to support social workers develop themselves and their careers. 
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress to senior social worker level
• Generous Annual Leave: 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
• Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts. 

Apply NowIf you are interested, please call Chris Richardson on or email me your CV – .ukIf this role isn’t right for you, but you know someone who would fit perfectly to our engaged and devoted team and you refer them, you will receive a referral bonus of £350.