Job Title: Social Worker - Kinship to Permanence Fostering Team
Employer: Shropshire Council
Rate of Pay: £30.50 per hour
Are you a dedicated and experienced Social Worker passionate about securing stable and nurturing permanence for children within their family networks? Shropshire Council is seeking an empathetic and skilled Social Worker to join our vital Kinship to Permanence Fostering Team!
At Shropshire Council, we deeply value the role of kinship carers in providing a safe and familiar environment for children who cannot live with their parents. Our Kinship to Permanence Fostering Team is at the forefront of assessing, supporting, and empowering connected persons to offer stable and permanent homes for our looked after children.
The Role
As a Social Worker in the Kinship to Permanence Fostering Team, you will manage a specialized caseload focused on assessing and supporting kinship carers. Your primary responsibilities will include:
Undertaking comprehensive viability assessments for connected persons and wider family members who wish to care for children.
Conducting in-depth fostering assessments (Regulation 24/Temporary Approval and full Form F assessments) for kinship carers, ensuring their suitability to meet the unique needs of children.
Providing ongoing advice, guidance, and support to approved kinship foster carers, ensuring placement stability and promoting positive outcomes for children.
Working proactively towards achieving permanence for children in kinship care, exploring and progressing pathways such as Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs), Child Arrangements Orders (CAOs), or long-term kinship fostering.
Liaising closely with children's social workers, legal teams, and the Family Court, providing expert social work evidence and analysis.
Presenting high-quality assessments and reviews to Fostering Panel for approval and recommendation.
Understanding and applying the legal framework and policy relating to connected persons and family and friends care.
Maintaining accurate, analytical, and up-to-date electronic records in compliance with statutory requirements and Shropshire Council policies.
About You
We are looking for a highly motivated and analytical Social Worker with:
A recognised Social Work qualification.
Current registration with Social Work England.
Minimum 3 years post qualifying experience of working within children's social care, with direct experience in fostering, looked after children, permanence, or court work being highly desirable.
A strong understanding of relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989, Fostering Services Regulations, and guidance related to permanence and kinship care.
Excellent assessment, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with complex family networks and prepare robust reports for Panel and Court.
The ability to manage a diverse and demanding caseload effectively and prioritise tasks within legal timescales.
A commitment to child-centred practice and promoting permanence within family networks.
A full UK driving licence and access to a car for business use (or ability to travel efficiently across the county).
What We Offer
A competitive rate of £30.50 per hour.
The opportunity to work in a specialised and highly impactful team that champions family-based care.
A supportive and collaborative team environment with regular, high-quality supervision.
Excellent opportunities for professional development and specialist training in kinship care and permanence.
Access to a range of employee benefits (details available upon request).
Why Shropshire Council?
Shropshire Council is dedicated to providing outstanding services for our children and families, and we recognise the unique strengths of kinship care. We foster a supportive culture where our social workers are valued, invested in, and empowered to deliver the best possible support. Join us and be part of a team committed to securing stable and loving homes for children within their family.
Apply Now:
If you are a passionate and experienced Social Worker ready for your next rewarding role in kinship permanence, we would love to hear from you!
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Fahmida Ahmed on 07441 927663 or .
Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.
Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.
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