social worker

Job Title: Social Worker – Children in Care (Looked After Children)
Location: Bedfordshire
Contract Type: Temporary / Locum
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Pay Rates:

• £37.86 per hour (Umbrella)
• £33.28 per hour PAYE (Inclusive)
• £29.70 per hour PAYE (Exclusive)

Role Overview: Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a Local Authority in Bedfordshire for an experienced Social Worker to join their Children in Care (Looked After Children) Team.

The post holder will be responsible for working with Looked After Children aged 0–18 years, including Separated Migrant Children, ensuring that children and young people receive safe, stable, and permanent care arrangements. The role focuses on improving outcomes across education, health, and emotional wellbeing, whilst meeting all statutory responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Hold and manage a caseload of Looked After Children, ensuring statutory duties are fulfilled in line with legislation, guidance, and local policies
• Undertake care planning and pathway planning to promote permanency, including reunification, long?term fostering, special guardianship, or adoption where appropriate
• Ensure the safety, wellbeing, and developmental needs of children and young people in Local Authority care are consistently met
• Complete high?quality assessments, care plans, reviews, and reports within required timescales
• Chair or contribute effectively to Looked After Reviews, care planning meetings, and statutory visits
• Work collaboratively with children, families, carers, education providers, health professionals, and partner agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes
• Act as a strong advocate for children and young people, ensuring their voice is heard and reflected in decision?making
• Promote and embed the Local Authority’s “Parenting Together” approach to corporate parenting
• Support young people to achieve positive transitions and sustained outcomes as they move towards independence
• Maintain accurate, timely, and high?quality case recordings in accordance with statutory and organisational requirements

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker (BA/MA Social Work or equivalent)
• Social Work England registration (must be current)
• Substantial post?qualifying experience within Children’s Social Care
• Proven experience working in a Children in Care / LAC Team
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation including:
  • Children Act 1989 & 2004
  • Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations
• Experience working with Separated Migrant Children (desirable but not essential)
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet statutory deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Enhanced DBS (or willingness to complete one)

Desirable Skills & Attributes:

• Strong commitment to corporate parenting principles
• Excellent partnership?working skills
• Child?focused, outcome?driven practice
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing positively to a team environment
• Resilient, reflective, and solution?focused approach to practice

What’s on Offer:

• Competitive hourly rates
• Full?time, stable Monday–Friday working hours
• Support from a dedicated Service Care Solutions consultant
• Opportunity to work within a supportive and well?established Children in Care service

Service Care Solutions, please send your CV to andrew.wiles@servicecare.org.uk