Social Worker – Family Help at Herefordshire Council, UK

Herefordshire Council is recruiting a qualified Social Worker – Family Help, Central Locality to support children, young people, and families in Hereford, England. The permanent, full-time position offers a salary of £37,563 to £42,123 per year, an annual £5,000 market-rate supplement, and a £10,000 welcome payment, subject to the applicable conditions.

The successful applicant will work with families experiencing complex circumstances, assess safeguarding concerns, coordinate support plans, and collaborate with partner agencies to improve outcomes for children.

The vacancy also advertises relocation assistance of up to £10,000, career progression opportunities, pension benefits, and professional development support.

Important: Herefordshire Council cannot offer overseas visa sponsorship to applicants who need sponsorship to work in the UK for these Children & Young People social worker roles. Sponsorship is available only under the stated conditions for eligible candidates already living in the UK.

Applications close on 25 October 2026.

About Herefordshire Council

Herefordshire Council is a local authority in England responsible for public services and community support across Herefordshire. Its children and families services focus on safeguarding, supporting family relationships, and helping children achieve positive outcomes.

The council describes its social work culture as restorative and collaborative, with managers available to support practitioners handling complex cases. It also highlights professional development, a structured progression pathway, and opportunities to progress from social worker to senior practitioner.

For this vacancy, the successful candidate will join the Family Help locality team and work with children, families, colleagues, and partner organisations.

Job Overview

• Job title: C&YP Social Worker – Family Help – Central Locality

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• Employer: Herefordshire Council

• Recruitment partner: Hoople Resourcing

• Location: Hereford, Herefordshire, England, UK

• Department: Social Work / Children & Young People

• Contract: Permanent

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• Hours: 37 hours per week

• Standard salary: £37,563–£42,123 per year

• Annual market-rate supplement: £5,000

• Welcome payment: £10,000, subject to the applicable guidance

• Retention payment: £2,000–£4,000, depending on the team

• Relocation support: Up to £10,000

• Closing date: 25 October 2026

• Visa sponsorship: Restricted to eligible candidates already living in the UK with at least two years of UK-based experience in the relevant team or discipline

Official vacancy: View the Herefordshire Council job advertisement.

Key Responsibilities

The Social Worker will manage a caseload involving children, young people, and their families, providing assessments, interventions, and safeguarding support.

Assessing family needs and risks

You will assess children's needs, identify risks, analyse family circumstances, and develop suitable Family Help Plans. The objective is to coordinate the support required to protect children and promote sustainable improvements in their circumstances.

Safeguarding children

The role involves identifying safeguarding concerns and working with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team when necessary. You will contribute to risk assessments and protective interventions in line with relevant statutory requirements.

Coordinating multi-agency support

You will work with other professionals and partner agencies to ensure families receive coordinated assistance. Responsibilities include chairing or contributing to Child in Need meetings, core groups, and strategy discussions.

Supporting children and families

Building constructive relationships is central to the position. You will work with children, parents, carers, and other professionals to encourage positive change and promote children's welfare, including the needs of children in the looked-after system.

Maintaining records and reports

The role requires accurate case recording, professional report writing, contributions to decision-making, and preparation of reports for court proceedings where required.

Contributing to effective practice

You will work collaboratively with colleagues, apply relevant legislation and guidance, and contribute to effective social work practice under the council's restorative approach.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates should meet the following professional and practical requirements.

1. Relevant social work qualification

Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification, such as a Social Work degree, Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW), or an equivalent qualification.

2. Current professional registration

Current registration with Social Work England is required.

3. Experience in statutory children's social care

Applicants should have experience working with children and families in a statutory social care setting. They should understand safeguarding, child protection, and the relevant legislation and guidance.

4. Risk assessment and intervention skills

Candidates should be confident assessing risks, analysing complex family dynamics, and developing interventions that support children's safety and wellbeing.

5. Communication and relationship-building

The role requires strong communication skills and the ability to establish trusting relationships with children, families, colleagues, and multi-agency professionals.

6. Organisation and resilience

Applicants should be able to manage a demanding caseload, maintain accurate records, produce high-quality reports, and use relevant IT systems confidently.

7. Commitment to professional development

The council expects practitioners to maintain high standards, develop their professional skills, and work collaboratively while demonstrating empathy, honesty, responsibility, and inclusivity.

Candidates who can demonstrate the competencies required for a Senior Practitioner role through their application, interview, and references may be appointed at that level, depending on their skills and experience.

Salary, Welcome Payment and Other Benefits

The advertised package includes several financial and professional benefits. Applicants should distinguish between the standard salary, additional supplements, and payments that are subject to specific conditions.

Salary and financial incentives

• Base salary: £37,563–£42,123 per year.

• Market-rate supplement: £5,000 annually, giving a stated combined range of £42,563–£47,123 for the standard salary band.

• Senior Practitioner pathway: The advert also lists a salary range of £42,123–£46,579 for Senior Practitioner roles. Confirm the applicable grade and treatment of supplements with the employer.

• Welcome payment: £10,000, subject to the council's welcome-payment guidance.

• Retention payment: £2,000–£4,000, depending on the team.

• Relocation assistance: Support of up to £10,000 is available.

The welcome payment, retention payment, and relocation support should not be assumed to be unconditional or automatically payable to every applicant. Check the employer's guidance and confirm any eligibility rules before accepting an offer.

Pension and annual leave

The council advertises enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Annual leave is listed as 31 days per year, pro rata, plus bank holidays. Employees may also have the option to purchase up to 10 additional days during the applicable request period.

Professional development

Employees receive protected time and a budget for professional development. The council also offers a defined career progression pathway, including the potential to advance to Senior Practitioner level.

Flexible working and employee support

The advertised benefits include flexible working arrangements, potentially including job-sharing, part-time hours, and agile working. An Employee Assistance Programme provides access to support and counselling, and professional membership fees may be covered where relevant to the role.

Additional employee benefits include access to retail, leisure, holiday, and health-related discounts and savings.

Does Herefordshire Council Offer Visa Sponsorship?

This is a critical point for international applicants.

The employer explicitly states that it is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles within its Children & Young People services. Applicants living overseas who require sponsorship to work in the UK are advised not to apply for these positions.

The advertisement specifies a limited sponsorship route for candidates who:

• Are already living in the UK; and

• Have at least two years of UK-based experience in the relevant team or discipline.

Therefore, this vacancy should not be presented as an overseas-sponsored social work opportunity. Applicants who already live in the UK should contact the recruitment team to confirm whether they meet the stated sponsorship conditions.

Documents Required

The application instructions require candidates to upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form, demonstrating their experience, skills, and abilities.

Before applying, prepare:

• An updated CV highlighting your social work qualification and relevant professional experience.

• Details of your current Social Work England registration.

• Examples of statutory children's social care work and safeguarding responsibilities.

• Evidence of your experience with risk assessments, family interventions, case management, and multi-agency collaboration.

• Information demonstrating how your experience matches the job description and person specification.

The employer may request additional information during recruitment and will contact shortlisted candidates by email to arrange an interview or assessment. Applicants should monitor their inbox and spam folder.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply for the Social Worker – Family Help position:

1. Visit the official Herefordshire Council vacancy page.

2. Read the full job description and person specification.

3. Confirm that you meet the qualification, registration, and experience requirements.

4. Prepare and upload your current CV.

5. Complete the application form with specific examples showing how your experience matches the role.

6. Submit your application before the closing date of 25 October 2026.

7. Check your email regularly for any interview or assessment invitation.

Click Here to Apply: Official application page – Social Worker, Family Help, Central Locality.

For questions or an informal discussion about the role, the advertisement provides this contact email: RecruitmentCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk.

If you require reasonable adjustments or an alternative method for the online application process, contact Hoople Resourcing at enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk.

Additional Information for Applicants

The position involves work with children and vulnerable people. Any offer is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and further pre-employment checks.

The council also states that applicants who meet the essential criteria and identify as a person with a disability, an Armed Forces veteran or reservist, or a Herefordshire care leaver will be interviewed in line with its stated commitments.

Because this is a safeguarding-focused role, applicants should ensure their qualifications, registration, and professional experience can be verified.