6 Social worker jobs

PACT is one of the UK’s leading voluntary adoption agencies, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and has been at the forefront of adoption services for over 60 years.

We are currently looking for Independent Social Workers based in the following areas to undertake adoption assessments:

· Milton Keynes

· Bedfordshire

· Peterborough

Caseloads are flexible and can be arranged to fit around other commitments.  We can offer a competitive rate for each assignment.

You must be SWE registered and have at least three years’ post qualifying experience, preferably in adoption or fostering, and have solid assessment skills with experience in writing PARs or Form F assessments. 

It is also important that you are willing to travel, and that you hold your own professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

For further details and information on how to apply, please visit the Contractors page on our website.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.  

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK. No agencies please.

Main Purpose of Role

CFAB is a national charity and the UK-branch of the International Social Service network. Our social work team helps to resolve cases involving child protection, children in care, and vulnerable adults when the case crosses international borders. CFAB social workers offer advice and guidance to individuals and local authorities and help to link social work services between the UK and another country. CFAB social workers engage in direct work with beneficiaries through kinship assessments and risk assessments.

The main purpose of the role is: to manage a caseload of complex cases originating in the UK or overseas which involve child protection issues; to support, advise and quality assure the work of social workers in other countries; to deliver training to professionals on issues related to international social work, and: when needed, to complete kinship assessments of family members who have come forward to care for a child in care.

Note: Whilst there are some opportunities to complete direct work with service users, such opportunities are limited as the focus of the role involves supporting social workers abroad and delivering training to UK Local Authorities.

Main duties, tasks and key results

1. To hold a caseload of allocated cases originating in the UK or overseas

• Quality assuring complex kinship and parenting assessments completed by social workers abroad for court proceedings in the UK.
• Managing complex cases requiring liaison with local authorities or individuals in the UK, and the relevant authorities overseas to resolve the case;
• Assessing cases referred to CFAB, identifying the intervention required and the resources/agency to undertake it
• Preparing information for referral abroad or to an agency in the UK;
• Establishing, developing and maintaining relationships with clients and/or agencies in the UK and overseas to ensure the progression of cases to resolution;
• Ensuring that all cases are dealt with in a manner consistent with CFAB guidelines and Social Work England’s’ professional standards;
• Undertaking the required administrative tasks.

2. To participate in running the Advice Line service and responding to enquiries made to CFAB

• Offering advice to local authorities, NGOs and individuals
• Advising on referral procedure and fees
• Sending follow-up documents to enquirers
• Liaising with overseas partners for advice and to establish if services are available

3.To provide training to local authority professionals

• Deliver training sessions, jointly and single-handedly, to UK authorities on issues relating to international child protection, e.g. international social work and international child protection
• Present on CFAB’s behalf to conferences, as required.

4. To undertake social work assessments

• Undertake kinship assessments of individuals in the UK who have applied to care for a child within their family who is in care in another country;

5. To support the development of the Social Work Team and wider CFAB team through:

• Participation in social work and CFAB team meetings
• Regular supervision meetings with line manager
• Representing CFAB to external partners
• Contributing to special projects as required

6.  To be adaptable and willing to take on new roles and responsibilities as the services of CFAB develop in response to the changing needs

7. To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation and policies affecting the work of CFAB to ensure a high quality consultancy service to service users.

8.  To present, represent and promote the organisation to a range of audiences and settings, including promotional events.

Our Specialist Social Workers work closely with the Head of Expert Witness Service to ensure the delivery of high-quality independent social work reports (ISWRs). They supervise volunteer social workers, quality assure reports, carry out social work assessments themselves, and contribute towards volunteer training opportunities and service development to maintain excellence in social work practice. 

The core Specialist Social Worker role is three days per week, with the opportunity to work additional days by taking on service operations and referral coordination responsibilities. 

Benefits:

• Regular professional supervision from the Head of Expert Witness Service 
• Access to training and CPD opportunities to support Social Work England registration requirements 
• Professional development opportunities, including support to begin working towards a formal expert witness accreditation
• Laptop and mobile phone provided 
• Travel expenses reimbursed in line with expenses policy 

Senior Supervising Social Worker

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Senior Supervising Social Worker 

Homebased (Northampton and Peterborough) travel across Greater Manchester and Merseyside)

£37,829 Per Annum (increasing to £42,032 after 18 months) + £1,500 Per Annum Out of Hours Allowance + £750 Per Annum Homeworking Allowance

35 hours | Mon–Fri | Permanent

Why Join TACT?

• Top 5 UK Charity to Work For (2024)
• 97% proud to work at TACT | 92% love working here
• Not-for-profit – every surplus reinvested into children, carers & staff
• Children’s voices shape every decision, system, and improvement we make at TACT.
• Flexible homeworking from day one
• Trauma-informed, values-led organisation

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• Progression to salary target rate upon completion of 18 months of service.
• 55p per mile business mileage
• Stakeholder Pension (salary sacrifice)
• Family-friendly & flexible working policies
• Volunteer days

Wellbeing & Non-Salary Benefits

• Homeworking IT bundle + home office loan
• HelpHand EAP (24/7 GP, CBT, physio, mental health support)
• Over 35 hours a year of access to on line wellbeing events and team wellbeing days
• Menopause Policy + free clinician appointments
• Regular team wellbeing & connection events

Training & Career Development

• Excellent learning & development programme
• Opportunity to grow therapeutic & trauma-informed practice
• Supportive leadership and clear career progression pathways
• Involvement in innovative projects (e.g. TACT Connect, Health, Education)

The Role

You’ll work closely with foster carers and social work colleagues to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed support and improve outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• To supervise and support a diverse range of foster carers and children.
• Ensure children are safe, well cared for and achieve positive outcomes consistent in line with TACT policies.
• Undertaking Form F assessments where needed.
• To facilitate regular support groups and learning opportunities, which will include the delivery of training.
• Developing the service and supporting colleagues. 
• Recording and updating CHARMS and all other appropriate central/social work systems.
• Participating in Out of Hours Service.

What You’ll Need

• A degree in Social Work or equivalent.
• Up-to-date registration with Social Work England.
• A minimum of 2 years post-qualifying experience in a regulated fostering service.
• A proven track record in working with and on behalf of children, respecting and maintaining their individuality, and promoting their positive development.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations.
• Enhanced DBS (processed by TACT).

Travel

• Homebased in the Eadt Midlands area. Caseload is across Northampton and Peterborough. Travel across other areas of the East Midlands may be required.
• Monthly face-to-face meetings in the East Midlands area
• Additional travel for training, team and carer events

Key Dates

• Closing Date: Tuesday 29th September 2026 (midnight)
• Interviews: Thursday 8th October 2026 (Microsoft Teams)

Safeguarding Commitment

Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people.  All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies. 

Apply early - we may close the role if we receive a high volume of applications.

Have you ever wanted to make a difference to the lives of children in need of foster care.

The Together Trust Fostering Service places children with foster families of all shapes and sizes across the North West of England. These foster families provide safe, secure, and caring homes to children and young people.

As one of the we are looking for a dedicated, proactive and experienced Senior Practitioner/Supervising Social Worker

Location: Working across Lancashire & Greater Manchester

Hours: 37.5 hours - Full Time

Salary: £43,150 per annum (£22.25ph)

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle, mileage will be paid at £0.45 per mile.

The Together Trust is one of the North West’s leading charities, offering individual care, support, and education to hundreds of children, young people, and adults each year. We are a not-for-profit charitable trust, so every penny goes back into benefiting the people that we support.

We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home - whether that is a place to call your own or somewhere to experience feelings of safety, stability, and support. You will be helping children to grow their independence and shape their own story within a supportive, caring home.

We are looking to grow the Together Trust’s Independent Fostering Agency. If you are looking for an opportunity to join and work for a charity provider, working for a fostering agency where the values and ethos of the not-for-profit sector are embedded, we would very much like to hear from you.

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

Responsibilities include but are not exhaustive.

• To work in line with current fostering legislation, regulations and guidance relating to the recruitment, assessment, approval, training, support, supervision, and review of foster carers.
• To manage, support and supervise approved Together Trust foster carers.
• To provide ongoing supervision, support, and reviews for foster carers, including facilitating support groups, reflective practice and training where required.
• To receive, process and progress referrals for children and young people, liaising with local authorities and supporting appropriate matching as directed by the Registered Fostering Manager.
• To contribute to the development of a high-quality, flexible, and effective service, taking lead responsibility for agreed areas of service development.
• To develop, facilitate and deliver training for prospective and approved foster carers, and participate in relevant professional development opportunities.
• To deputise at meetings and undertake specific tasks as required by the Registered Fostering Manager.
• To undertake independent and complex assessment work commissioned by external agencies, as directed by the relevant Manager.
• To supervise staff and students as allocated by the Registered Manager.
• To undertake any other duties required to support the ongoing development of the service.

About You.

• Professional Social Work qualification (CQSW, DipSW or Social Work Degree).
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Relevant experience in fostering in IFA’s, local authority, or related social work settings.
• Skills in the assessment, supervision, and support of foster families.
• Ability to work reflectively and continuously develop practice.
• Ability to work within agreed boundaries while exercising professional judgement.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance.
• Understanding of social work values and principles.
• Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and perform effectively under pressure.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to support change and service development.
• Self-motivated with strong organisational and time management skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Flexible to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Benefits

• Annual Leave27-day holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
• Generous pension schemeand death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
• Occupational sick payand family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave.
• Reward and Discount platformoffering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
• Proud to be a real living wage employer.
• Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
• Long service awardsincluding cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of Wellbeingacross the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home

Please see the job description below for full details

We may remove this advert should we find the successful candidate prior to the closing date therefore early applications are encouraged.

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status, or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience.

If there is any part of your lived experience, you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can do to support you.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role will involve regulated activity