Assessing Social Worker (Fostering)
Job description
Post Ref: CC522
Please note: Internal at risk or redeployee applicants will be seen in the first instance.
We are recruiting for an Assessing Social Worker, to work with connected and mainstream fostering applicants families. The roles include supervisory support for newly approved foster carers.
We are looking for Qualified registered Social Workers with Fostering assessment and supervisory experience.
You will need to have an understanding of the impact of early trauma, harm and risk and issues affecting children and young people who are unable to live with their birth parents. You will need to demonstrate an ability to work empathetically and creatively with fostering applicants and families to ensure they continue to receive the most appropriate support to meet their needs.
You will need to have proven assessment skills and an ability to analyse and triangulate information to reach a clear recommendation about suitability to foster.
You will need to be a self-motivated individual with excellent communication and organisational skills and will be someone who can take responsibility for their own workload, time management and planning.
The Fostering service in Calderdale is a dynamic team that is driven by passionate, enthusiastic leaders and social workers striving for an excellent service. The team is split into pods who each have specialist areas in Assessment, Mainstream Fostering Supervision & Support and Connected Families supervision and Support. The team structure of pods allows for social workers to become specialists in their areas, supervised by a practice manager and having the added benefits of a dedicated business support officer, fostering training & enrichment co-ordinator, placements team and payments officer.
Ofsted have rated us a good Local Authority, the Fostering Service is striving to be an outstanding service whereby social workers are valued, they enjoy their work and can shape the service we deliver with new ideas, initiatives, and specialist areas.
Calderdale has a lot to offer its Social Workers, with a supportive leadership team, with a clear focus on staff wellbeing, kindness and staff development. Quality reflective supervision is provided and there is a strong learning culture within the service as well as a great sense of belonging and peer involvement. You will be given a comprehensive induction program and provided with regular person focused supervision to meet your well-being, training and development needs.
Calderdale Council provides a generous pro rata annual leave scheme of 31 days plus bank holidays, increasing to 36 days for those who have 5 years or more local authority continuous service.
You will manage your own diary and benefit from being able to work from home as well as having access to an office base to enable you to meet with colleagues and other teams and services. Within the fostering service we support flexible working and recognise the importance of a work life balance, consideration will be given to adapting work patterns including offering full time staff a 9-day fortnight.
The post holder will receive further training and development opportunities and must be keen and enthusiastic to access additional opportunities to support them in their role.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.
Closing Date: Monday 17th November 2025
Interview Date: Monday 1st December 2025
We may utilise digital interview methods.
As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities for both full and part time staff.
On 30 January 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency in a bold move to step up its action to tackle climate change.
Calderdale Council embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale. We particularly welcome applications from communities that are currently under-represented in our organisation. All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.
For support on your application please read our Application Booklet or visit our Employment Hub.