Senior Social Work Assistant (Shefford, GB) @ centralbed

<div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Team:</strong> Fostering Team</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Job Family:</strong> Supporting - CBG8</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Salary:</strong> £31,022 - £33,851 per annum pro rata</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Hours: </strong>33 hours per week - this includes ocassional weekend working</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Location:</strong> You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month. </span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Contract Type:</strong> Hybrid - Permanent</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Closing Date:</strong> 9th July 2026</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Interview Date: </strong> 29th July 2026</span></p> </div> <p> </p> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Be the difference behind every foster placement</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">We’re looking for a passionate, organised and people-focused professional to join our Fostering Service as a Social Work Assistant with focus on <strong>Foster Carer Recruitment</strong>. This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in increasing the number of safe, stable and loving foster homes for children and young people across Central Bedfordshire.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">At the heart of this role is one simple but powerful aim: <strong>to attract, engage and support people to become foster carers – and stay on that journey with confidence.</strong></span></p> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>About the role</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">As a key member of our team, you will lead and coordinate recruitment activity to help us grow our community of foster carers. You will:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Deliver and support an <strong>annual fostering recruitment plan.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Work closely with <strong>communications and marketing teams</strong> to design impactful campaigns.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Be the first point of contact for prospective foster carers, ensuring <strong>timely, warm and consistent responses to enquiries.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Coordinate <strong>information events, community engagement and outreach activity.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Track enquiries and progress data to help improve recruitment outcomes and service planning.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Work collaboratively with partners, including <strong>regional fostering networks</strong>, to strengthen recruitment approaches.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Support early stages of the fostering journey, helping applicants feel informed, valued and motivated.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Be flexible around your working pattern as some events may take place in the evening or weekends.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Every enquiry you respond to and every conversation you have could lead to a life-changing placement for a child.</span></p> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>About you</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">We are looking for someone who:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Has experience of <strong>working collaboratively within a team or across organisations.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Can handle <strong>sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and care.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Has experience in <strong>engagement, recruitment, customer interaction or events</strong> – or transferable skills that demonstrate this.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Brings excellent <strong>communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Is motivated by improving outcomes for children and young people.</span></li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>What we offer</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">A meaningful role where your work directly impacts children’s lives.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">A supportive, collaborative team environment.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Hybrid working arrangements.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Opportunities to develop skills in recruitment, engagement and social care.</span></li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Join us</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">If you’re passionate about working with people, skilled at engagement, and want to play a key role in strengthening foster care provision, we would love to hear from you. <strong>Help us find the people who can change children’s lives.</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span>Our Offer</span><span> </span></strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our </span><a href="https://jobs.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/content/Our-rewards-and-benefits/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Rewards and Benefits page</span></a><span> </span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this <a title="" href="https://centralbedfordshirecouncil.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Communications/IgAY5oI23VQRTITli-tc_uNAAbmBMiKhMIqbR7inSyFs2ik?e=YU4UUD" target="_self">Recruitment Pack</a>.</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>Our </span><a href="https://centralbedfordshirecouncil.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Communications/EuejD31meJ9GiiHyMPHL6V4BUJcaSc16Y3dGD4m8GxPfYA?e=Dg6Cg2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance</span></a><span> are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Lauren Abraham</span><span> at [email protected] or call 0300 300 4035.</span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span>Safeguarding:</span><span> </span></strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records. </span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span> </span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council&apos;s policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your </span><span>application offline.</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span>Our National Careers Service team offer a free monthly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours</span><span>.</span><span> </span><span> </span><a href="https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Please book your place here.</span></a><span> </span></strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span> </span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span>More information about this service can be found here:</span><span> </span><a href="https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/207/support_getting_into_work_or_learning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council</span></a><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span>Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.</span><span> </span></strong></span></p> </div>