Family Worker - Family Placement Team

• Family_Worker___Family_Placement_Team_JD_PS_June_2026
• Candidate_Pack_-_People_Directorate_-_May_2026

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.

Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in a council that champions children and puts learning at the heart of everything we do?

We are looking for an experienced and dedicated Family Worker to join our Family Placement Team.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

This role includes an expectation to work from our Time Square office 3 days per week, alongside flexible working arrangements.

To learn more about what it is like to work with us, take a look at our workforce video.

If you would like an informal chat or a tour of the office prior to submitting your application, please contact helen.gore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk to arrange a suitable time.

About you...

As a Family Worker, you will have experience and knowledge of foster carers and the needs of children who are looked after.

You will have knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, together with good writing and oral communication skills and the ability to work to timescales.

You will be able to work well with professionals and have the drive to provide a quality service for children, young people and their families.

About the team...

The Family Placement Team is a small but very supportive team. The work we do can be challenging and we understand the importance of peer support and advice.

We work closely together and alongside the children’s social workers to ensure that we are providing the best support to our vulnerable children.

As part of an Outstanding-rated Children’s Social Care service, the team is committed to reflective practice, effective planning, strong partnership working and ensuring children’s voices shape decisions.

Learn what OFSTED say about us here.

Read more about our culture and what our staff say Children's social care culture | Bracknell Forest Council.

Key responsibilities...

• To support special guardians and foster carers for children and young people, planning support groups, events and training sessions
• To undertake family finding for our young people and ensuring that they are with families that can meet their needs into adulthood
• To provide support to social workers in the work that they are doing with the special guardians and foster carers.

Our benefits...

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.

Our values...

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustment...

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.

Disability confident and inclusive recruitment...

Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be an inclusive employer. This means that if you have made us aware on the application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or you are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on 15th July 2026.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Sam Howard, Team Manager, Family Placement Team

Tel.: 01344 351658

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

This role is not eligible for a sponsored work visa as it does not meet current Home Office sponsorship criteria. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

No agencies please.