Jobs

We are currently recruiting for a Fostering Social Worker to join our dedicated Kinship Assessment Team in Gloucester.

Reward and Support

For all your hard work, you will receive the following:

• between £39,152 - £40,777 per annum subject to experience (pro rata for part-time staff)
• £4,000 welcome payment**
• £2,000 retention payment**
• up to £8,000 relocation package**
• flexible and agile working opportunities
• 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
• option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
• family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
• supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
• an in-house Occupational Health service
• employee discount scheme
• links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
• career development and qualification opportunities
• access to our Social Work Academy
• Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
• Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)

*Please note that all our welcome and retention payments are subject to terms and conditions as well as tax and national insurance deductions

*Please note that our relocation policy is subject to terms and conditions

Right child, right support, right time, every time   

In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children’s Services have been officially judged as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Ofsted also said ‘Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.’

This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive. 

Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce.

We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.

About the team

Our Kinship Assessment Team is a dynamic, supportive and fast-paced team working country-wide. We specialise in assessing family members and connected persons who are being considered as carers for children who cannot remain with their birth parents.

As a dedicated assessment team, we complete Form K assessments for potential kinship foster carers and Special Guardianship Order (SGO) assessments, ensuring children are able to remain within their family networks wherever it is safe and appropriate.

We are a busy and high-performing team, committed to delivering high-quality, evidence and strength based assessments within statutory timescales. Team members are well-supported through regular supervision, peer collaboration and ongoing professional development.

About the role 

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Social Worker to join our country-wide Kinship Assessment Team.

We undertake comprehensive Form K assessments of family members and connected persons.

Conduct home visits, supervisions, unannounced visits, interviews and assessments to evaluate suitability and safeguarding risks.

Support Kinship carers through the assessment process.

Analyse complex family dynamics and present clear, evidence-based recommendations for either fostering or SGO.

Work in partnership with children’s social work teams, legal services and external agencies.

Attend and contribute to fostering panels and court processes where required.

Manage a varied caseload within statutory timescales.

Ensure the child’s voice and best interests remain central to all assessments.

This is a country-wide role, requiring travel and flexibility.

About you

If you are passionate about keeping children connected to their families and have the skills to deliver high-quality assessments in a busy team, we would love to hear from you.

As well as your experience, there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:

• a full driving licence and willingness to drive
• DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Children’s)
• To have completed your ASYE year (if you qualified after 2012)

How to apply

For an informal chat about this role, please contact Cheryl.Lodge@gloucestershire.gov.uk.  

Company: Gloucestershire County Council

Salary: £39,152 - £40,777 per annum

Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Sector: Healthcare Management

Job Role: Social Worker