Fostering Social Worker - Kinship Assessment Team

Role Responsibility

This continues to be an exciting time to join Kent Fostering Service as our three Kinship Assessment Teams, established across the county two years ago, are now well embedded and evolving in response to learning and service demand. We are looking to recruit a Fostering Social Worker to join our team based at Worrall House, Kings Hill. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a service that has moved from its initial development phase into a more established, forward-looking model of practice, with a strong focus on quality assessments and positive outcomes for children and families.

Alongside undertaking Kinship Fostering Assessments, you will be completing Special Guardianship Assessments; Viability Assessments: and delivering preparatory training to Kinship Carers . You will also be required to present assessments to the fostering panel and at times attend court therefore it is essential to have excellent presentation skills and a confident and articulate manner.

Part of your role will be to undertake statutory supervision and support for Kinship Foster Carers whilst in the assessment process, working collaboratively with the team around the child, to achieve the very best outcomes. You will need to show that you are disciplined, highly organised and able to meet very tight deadlines. 

This is a great opportunity to be joining an established team and a supportive fostering service whose goals are to improve the outcomes of children through completing thorough kinship assessments along with delivering preparation courses for carers to equip them with the knowledge and skills to care for their relatives/friends.

Skills and experience:

A motivated social work practitioner, passionate about fostering and kinship and providing quality care for children who have experienced trauma 

Disciplined, highly organised and able to work to tight deadlines.

Strong presentation skills and a confident and articulate style.  

Sound interpersonal skills with proven experience of completing evidence based and  high quality, analytical assessments with adults and children

Knowledge of Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations

Work with Case Management systems and ensure management information is maintained

Ability to work flexible hours to fit with the needs of kinship carers. This will include some evenings and weekends.

Ability to travel in a timely and effective manner across Kent and also out of county.

The post holder will receive a car allowance and the market premium (as per criteria)

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Closing date Thursday 25^th June 2026

Interviews to be held on Monday 6^th July in Ashford

Contact Details

Please contact Jo Deane (Team Manager, Kinship Assessment 1- Worrall House) via jo.deane@kent.gov.uk with any questions regarding the role

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.