Job search

An exciting opportunity is available for a qualified Social Worker to join a dedicated Kinship Assessment Team. This role focuses on assessing and supporting family members and connected adults who are considering providing care for children unable to remain with their birth parents. You will play a key role in ensuring children are placed safely within their wider family network, wherever this is in their best interests.

As a Kinship Social Worker, you will undertake thorough assessments of prospective kinship carers, including viability, connected persons and full fostering assessments where required. You will gather and analyse information from a range of sources, complete safeguarding checks, visit applicants in their homes and prepare clear, evidence-based reports for decision-making panels and the court. You will also contribute to permanence planning and provide support and guidance to children, parents and family members throughout the assessment process.

The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload, maintain accurate and timely records, and work collaboratively with colleagues across children’s social care, education, health, legal services and partner agencies. You will be expected to promote positive outcomes for children, uphold their rights and ensure that practice is child-centred, anti-discriminatory and informed by relevant legislation, regulations and statutory guidance.

You must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration, with significant post-qualifying experience in children’s social care. Experience of kinship care, fostering, connected persons assessments, safeguarding or court work is highly desirable. You will need strong assessment, analytical and report-writing skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to communicate sensitively with families in complex and emotive circumstances.

A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle may be required, as the role involves travel for home visits and meetings. In return, you will benefit from a supportive team environment, regular supervision and opportunities to develop your expertise in kinship assessment and permanence planning.

An opportunity is available for a qualified Children’s Social Worker to join a Kinship Assessment Team in Lancashire. This role will focus on assessing and supporting family members and connected persons who may be able to care for children unable to remain with their birth parents. You will contribute to safe, timely and child-centred decision-making, ensuring children’s welfare remains at the heart of every assessment.

Your responsibilities will include completing comprehensive kinship assessments, gathering and analysing information from children, families and professional networks, and preparing clear, evidence-based reports for relevant meetings and legal proceedings. You will undertake statutory visits, assess applicants’ capacity to meet children’s emotional, developmental and practical needs, and identify strengths, risks and support requirements within the wider family network.

You will work closely with children, parents, prospective carers, schools, health professionals, legal representatives and other agencies. The role involves managing a varied caseload, maintaining accurate case records, participating in strategy discussions and reviews, and progressing work in line with statutory timescales, safeguarding procedures and professional standards. You will also contribute to planning appropriate support and permanency arrangements for children and kinship carers.

Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England. Substantial experience of children’s social care, safeguarding, child protection and family assessments is required, together with a sound understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and court processes. Experience of kinship care, fostering or connected-person assessments would be advantageous.

You should be confident working autonomously while contributing positively to a multi-disciplinary team. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical ability and effective workload management are essential. You will need to demonstrate professional curiosity, sound judgement, resilience and a commitment to anti-discriminatory, strengths-based practice. A valid driving licence and access to transport may be required for visits across the area.