C&YP Social Worker – Family Help – Central Locality
Employer: Herefordshire Council
Location: Hereford, Herefordshire
Salary: HC8 £37,563 – £42,123 per year + £5,000 annual market rate supplement
Welcome Payment: £10,000
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Full-time
Closing Date: 25 October 2026
Reference: 3080 (HCWF01109355)
Sponsorship Status
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available for eligible candidates already living in the UK, subject to the employer’s stated requirements.
Herefordshire Council states that it can provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for successful candidates who are already living in the UK and have a minimum of two years’ UK-based experience in the relevant team or discipline.
Overseas applicants requiring sponsorship should not apply. The council specifically states that it is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People.
About the Role
Herefordshire Council is seeking a qualified Social Worker to join its Family Help – Central Locality team in Hereford.
The successful candidate will work with children, young people and families to provide support and intervention aimed at improving children’s wellbeing, safety and outcomes.
The role involves working alongside colleagues across the council and partner agencies, with a particular focus on safeguarding, family support and effective intervention.
Social Workers will work within the statutory framework, including the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2026, while supporting the principles of the Families First Programme.
The council describes its approach as restorative, with collaboration, reflection and management support forming part of its team culture.
Key Responsibilities
The Social Worker will:
- Manage a complex caseload within a locality-based Family Help team.
- Act as the Family Help Lead Practitioner.
- Assess children’s and families’ needs and identify risks.
- Develop tailored Family Help Plans.
- Work with partner agencies to coordinate multi-agency support.
- Chair and contribute to Child in Need meetings, core groups and strategy discussions.
- Undertake safeguarding and risk-assessment work where concerns arise.
- Build effective relationships with children, families and professionals.
- Support children to remain safely within their families wherever possible.
- Contribute to work involving children in the looked-after system.
- Prepare accurate records and high-quality reports, including court reports.
- Contribute to professional decision-making and safeguarding interventions.
About You
Applicants should be qualified Social Workers with a Social Work Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
The council is looking for candidates with experience of working with children and families within a statutory social care environment.
You should have:
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection.
- Understanding of relevant legislation and professional guidance.
- Experience assessing risk and complex family situations.
- Ability to deliver effective interventions.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work effectively with children, families and multi-agency professionals.
- Good organisation and workload-management skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and produce clear reports.
- Confidence using IT systems.
- Commitment to professional development and high standards of practice.
Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families while working collaboratively and respectfully.
Career Progression
Herefordshire Council operates a Social Work Progression Pathway.
Candidates who demonstrate the relevant competencies through the application, interview and reference process may be appointed at the Senior Practitioner level, depending on their skills and experience.
The pathway provides opportunities to progress from Social Worker to Senior Practitioner.
Salary and Additional Payments
The package includes:
- £37,563 – £42,123 basic salary.
- £5,000 per year market rate supplement.
- £10,000 welcome payment, subject to the applicable guidance.
- £2,000 – £4,000 retention payment, depending on the team.
- Up to £10,000 relocation support.
- Salary progression opportunities through the career pathway.
- 31 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ annual leave during the relevant request period.
- Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
- Professional development time and funding.
- Flexible working, including potential job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling.
- Payment of professional membership fees where applicable.
- Access to employee retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits.
Working in Herefordshire
Herefordshire Council highlights its focus on improving outcomes for children and families through strong relationships, collaborative working and restorative practice.
The council is investing in its workforce and relational practice approach, with support from experienced managers and an improvement partnership with Leeds City Council.
The role is based in Hereford, in Herefordshire, a predominantly rural county on the Welsh border.
Safeguarding
The council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
An appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and other required pre-employment checks.
Reasonable Adjustments
Candidates who require reasonable adjustments or alternative arrangements for the online application process can contact Hoople Resourcing at:
enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk
Candidates shortlisted for interview can also request reasonable adjustments from the Children & Young People Recruitment Team.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV and complete the online application form, providing evidence of their relevant experience, skills and abilities.
The council recommends referring to the job description and person specification or role profile when completing the application.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email with details of the interview or assessment.
Informal enquiries:
RecruitmentCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk
Important Sponsorship Information
This vacancy is not open to overseas applicants who require visa sponsorship.
Herefordshire Council states that overseas candidates requiring sponsorship to work in the UK should not apply for this Social Worker role.
However, the council states that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be provided to successful candidates who are already living in the UK and have at least two years’ UK-based experience in the relevant team or discipline.
Applicants should carefully check their eligibility against the employer’s sponsorship requirements before applying.
Source: WMJobs / Herefordshire Council
Closing date: 25 October 2026