Job Description

Social Worker – Assessment Team

Directorate: Children’s Well-being
Locations: Hereford · Ross-on-Wye (HR9) · Leominster (HR6)
Contract: Permanent · 37 hrs/week
Salary: HC08 £35,235 – £39,513 plus £5,000 market supplement
Total Package: £40,235 – £44,513 per annum
Welcome Payment: £10,000 · Relocation Package: Up to £10,000


The Role

Herefordshire Council’s Assessment Team is on a Restorative Journey of Improvement. As a permanent Social Worker you will:

  • Act as first point of contact for new referrals, delivering prompt, child-centred assessments.

  • Undertake Section 17 and Section 47 enquiries, analyse risk and formulate robust plans.

  • Work in partnership with families and multi-agency colleagues to achieve sustained positive change.

  • Maintain high-quality, analytical case records and court-ready reports.

  • Manage a varied but manageable caseload, meeting all statutory timescales.


Key Responsibilities

  1. Timely Assessments – Carry out comprehensive assessments identifying needs, risks and protective factors.

  2. Planning & Intervention – Design outcome-focused plans; chair or contribute to multi-agency meetings.

  3. Legal Compliance – Prepare statements and give evidence in court proceedings when required.

  4. Partnership Working – Build effective relationships with health, education, police and the voluntary sector.

  5. Continuous Improvement – Engage in reflective supervision and CPD; mentor ASYEs or student social workers as appropriate.


Essential Criteria

  • Qualified Social Worker (DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) and SWE-registered.

  • Minimum 2 years post-qualifying experience in statutory children’s social care.

  • Strong assessment, report-writing and caseload-management skills.

  • Ability to meet statutory deadlines and court requirements.

  • Commitment to strengths-based, restorative and anti-oppressive practice.

  • Enhanced DBS clearance and right to work in the UK.

Desirable

  • Practice Educator qualification or willingness to train.

  • Familiarity with Signs of Safety or similar relational practice model.

  • Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.


What You’ll Receive

  • Competitive salary (£40,235 – £44,513 including supplement).

  • £10,000 welcome payment for experienced social workers.

  • Relocation support up to £10,000.

  • 31 days’ annual leave + bank holidays, with option to buy 10 extra days.

  • LGPS pension with generous employer contribution.

  • Protected CPD time and clear progression to Senior Social Worker and beyond.

  • Flexible working options: flexi-time, part-time, job-share and some hybrid working.

  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 counselling and support).

  • Payment of professional fees and wide staff-discount scheme (“Pick Your Perks”).


About Herefordshire

A picturesque, rural county on the Welsh border, Herefordshire offers rolling countryside, lively market towns and a strong community spirit. Children’s Services are working with improvement partner Leeds City Council to embed relational practice and deliver excellent outcomes – an inspiring environment for committed social workers.


Equality, Diversity & Safeguarding

Herefordshire Council and Semester Recruitment are committed to safeguarding and equal opportunities. Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references are mandatory. We guarantee an interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and are:

  • Disabled (Disability Confident scheme)

  • Armed Forces Veterans or Reservists (Armed Forces Covenant)

  • Herefordshire care leavers


How to Apply & Contact

Please submit:

  1. A detailed CV, and

  2. A cover letter showing how you meet each essential criterion and outlining relevant experience.

Applications without a tailored cover letter may not be shortlisted.

Closing date: TBCInterviews: TBC (virtual or in-person)

For an informal discussion about the post, contact:

Rob Arnold – Semester Recruitment
☎ 0161 419 9285 ✉ rob@semester.co.uk

Come to Herefordshire and join the journey – permanently.

What’s on offer for the Social Worker

· Excellent competitive pay rate – paid weekly!

· Excellent management structure with experienced leaders

· Desirable location with excellent transport links

· A stable and well-supported working environment

Benefits of working with Semester.co.uk:

  • Free on-going training opportunities upon registering as part of our commitment to you.

  • Competitive Rates of pay

  • In house payroll, providing weekly payments and support

  • Enhanced DBS completed.

  • Support and expert advice from an approachable, dedicated and friendly team

  • An assigned dedicated & experienced consultant

  • Various employment opportunities in your preferred geographical area

**If you would like to find out more information about this role, or the other opportunities Semester.co.uk have available feel free to click the ‘Apply’ button**

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