Social Worker - SGO​/Kinship

Overview

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade H. Scale 29 - £39,862 to Scale 34 - £45,091 with a professional bar at SCP 31 £ 41,771

Hours Per Week: 36 hours

Base

Location:

Ashton Old Library, Old Street, Ashton Under Lyne

Assessment Date: To be arranged

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

Tameside Children’s Services are looking for a committed and motivated Assessing Social Worker to join our Fostering Kinship service. A role has become available in our Kinship assessment team. As an Assessing Social Worker, you will be involved in securing plans of permanency for Tameside children and contribute to the wider offer for our cared for children.

This rewarding role will be helping to make sure our children and young people experience foster carers who are best placed to meet their care needs and with carers who share Tameside’s commitment to securing warm, safe and nurturing foster placements.

We are looking for social workers with the right values, and enthusiasm for relationship strengths-based social work with children and families, and in return we will support you in gaining the skills to continue your professional development.

You will be a qualified Social Worker with previous work experience and sound assessment skills. You will be highly motivated, committed and passionate about making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families. Amongst other things, you will be professionally curious with a determination to raise standards and achieve improved outcomes for children and their families.

We are looking for candidates with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to develop positive relationships with children, young people, agencies and other relevant professionals.

You will have a robust knowledge and understanding of statutory requirements and Fostering National Minimum Standards. You will have a variety of skills including a keen eye for detail, professional curiosity, ability to analyse information, good written work, including assessments for court.

We are looking for candidates who enjoy working as part of a large team, enjoy a fast-paced, varied role and to be supported to develop in their own practice.

Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services

“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.

“I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.

“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.

“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised.

We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”

At Tameside, we believe in:

• Compassion understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
• Curiosity asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
• Conversation listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
• Courage leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.

At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy…