Job details

Salary: £22,670 to £25,401 per annum

Department: Social Care

Working pattern: Part Time

Location: Taunton

Closing date: 17 August, 2025

About the job

Some key information

  • 22.5 hours per week
  • A commitment to your CPD through a bespoke learning and development programme.
  • At Somerset Council, we are proud to support our frontline workers with access to innovative AI technology. Our greatest asset is our dedicated workforce, and we need to ensure we evolve with technology and new ways to invest in them. We’re currently utilising Magic Notes, which has proven to help social workers reduce the amount of time spent on administrative work, allowing them to focus on using their skillset and creativity to support our shared vision of improving the life chances and outcomes for children in Somerset.

What will I be doing?

We’re looking for an Assessing Social Worker to join our Fostering Service. We want exceptional Social Workers to assess and support carers in Somerset.

We’re on a journey to raise the aspirations and improve the experiences of children in family-based care. If you’re skilled in this area and committed to achieving great outcomes, join us.

Here in Somerset, our manageable caseloads let you be the innovative and creative social worker you want to be – direct work with children to hear their voice, understand their experiences. You will work with foster carers, children, and the wider service to support and achieve best outcomes for children. With permanent Team Managers and a permanent stable senior leadership team you'll be well supported with regular and reflective supervision.

Our promise to you…

  • A manageable and diverse caseload
  • Clear career pathways
  • Regular, quality, reflective supervision, and learning
  • Monthly Group Supervision with your team
  • A supportive management and leadership team
  • Full Corporate and Directorate induction
  • Direct link to a Team Manager and Practice Supervisor

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

You will be passionate about relationship-based social work, proud of your profession, and able to reflect and think creatively about how you can build relationships to make a difference to children and families. You will need to be a Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England and have substantial experience working with children and families in social work.

What's in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

  • We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
  • Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
  • Staff discounts in gyms.
  • Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
  • Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
  • A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
  • My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

Anything else I should know?

To chat to us about this or any other roles in our Fostering service we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Elaine O'Dwyer Gill Elaine.Odwyergill@somerset.gov.uk

£22,670 to £25,401 per annum

DBS information

In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.