Social Worker - Childrens Services

Kinship Social Worker – Kinship Assessment Team Lancashire County Council – Fostering Service

Pay rate 36 LTD per hour inclusive of holiday pay or 28.63 PAYE exclusive of holiday pay

Location: Preston, Lancashire (countywide and occasional UK travel)

Lancashire County Council’s Fostering Service is seeking a committed and experienced Social Worker to join our Kinship Assessment Team, based in Preston. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital role in supporting children to remain within their family networks wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

The Kinship Assessment Team is a countywide service, with occasional out-of-county work across the UK. Travel is therefore required, with very occasional overnight stays depending on distance.
About the Role As a Kinship Social Worker, you will be responsible for assessing, supporting, and supervising Kinship foster carers and Special Guardians, ensuring high-quality, safe, and nurturing care for children looked after.
Key Responsibilities

• Assessing and supporting Kinship foster carers and/or Special Guardians on behalf of the Directorate
• Undertaking viability assessments of proposed Kinship foster carers and Special Guardians
• Participating in a duty rota to complete Regulation 24 assessments
• Preparing and assessing prospective Kinship foster carers and Special Guardians, including compiling complex assessment reports for fostering panel and Court
• Supervising and supporting approved Kinship foster carers
• Ensuring high-quality care that meets the specific needs of children looked after, in line with all relevant standards and regulations
• Attending Children in Our Care (CIOC) Reviews, court hearings, and other safeguarding meetings as required

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration
• Experience or strong interest in kinship care, fostering, and/or court-based work
• Strong assessment, report-writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to work flexibly across Lancashire and occasionally beyond
• A child-centred, strengths-based approach and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a supportive, specialist kinship team
• Meaningful work that helps children remain within their family networks
• Opportunities for professional development and reflective practice
• Competitive local authority benefits and flexible working arrangements

If you are passionate about kinship care and want to make a real difference to children and families, we would love to hear from you.

Please email your CV to Delanie.heyes@servicecare.org.uk or call 01772 208964