Job Introduction
Assessing Senior/Social Worker (Fostering)
Mainstream Recruitment & Assessment Team
Salary: Grade PO1 – PO3, SCPs 27 - 35 - £39,481 - £47,665, permeant contract, 37 hours per week, Based at Sir Henry Mitchell, Hybrid – home working allowed.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
The Fostering Service includes a Recruitment & Assessment Team and Assessing Social Workers who complete full mainstream fostering assessments.
Assessing Social Workers work closely with Fostering Recruitment Officers, who complete initial home visits.
Assessing Social Workers complete thorough, in-depth assessments (Bradford version of the ‘Form F’) within regulatory timescales and then present to Fostering Panel. Evening work will be required at times.
Assessing Social Workers deliver pre-approval training bi-annually.
Assessing Social Workers are expected to assist with foster carer training events and enrichment events.
Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.
Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
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To be successful in this role you will need:
- MA in Social Work, BA in Social Work, DIPSW, CSS, or CQSW.
- Registration with Social Work England.
- Be able to drive and have access to a car.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually)
- Enhanced annual leave allowance, please refer to the benefits booklet
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Team Manager Ben Whitehead
Benjamin.whitehead@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 29 November 2026
Interviews: Thursday 17th December 2026
Internal candidates: If you wish to apply for this secondment, you must obtain explicit consent from your line manager. A secondment does not affect your permanent role, and you will retain your permanent employee status throughout.
