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Job Title: Head of Fostering &amp; Adoption Service Starting Salary: Starting salary £84,421 per anuum Hours: 37 per week Base Location: Hybrid with countywide travel required. Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Childrens Services<h4>About the role</h4>Hertfordshire County Council has a proud reputation for high‑quality services and a bold, forward‑looking approach. As we navigate sector reforms and prepare for future challenges and opportunities, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Fostering and Adoption to lead our adoption, fostering and kinship services and champion outstanding outcomes for children, young people, and families.A collaborative, child‑centred leader, you will bring strong professional credibility and the confidence to make statutory decisions in high‑risk environments. You will provide strategic and operational leadership across fostering, adoption and regulated services, ensuring excellent practice, continuous improvement, and readiness for inspection. Managing over 100 staff and significant budgets, you will ensure robust planning, performance oversight, financial governance and value for money across all areas.Working across health, education, voluntary and community sectors, you will build inclusive partnerships that reduce barriers, improve access to support, and deliver responsive, high‑quality services shaped by the voices of children, young people, and their families. You will drive service innovation, strengthen organisational resilience, maintain rigorous compliance with legislation and policy, and ensure workforce capability through effective development, planning and leadership.This is a role for a values‑led leader who models integrity, inclusivity and purpose—someone who can balance strategic vision with operational delivery, empower multidisciplinary teams, and influence senior leaders and members with clear professional advice. If you are committed to delivering exceptional services and improving life chances for Hertfordshire’s children, we would welcome your application.<h4>What we’re looking for you to bring (Person Specification)</h4>Knowledge &amp; Qualifications:<ul><li>Degree‑level education plus a recognised Social Work qualification with Social Work England registration, supported by evidence of ongoing professional development.</li><li>Strong, in‑depth knowledge of children’s social care legislation, regulations, national policy frameworks, and government agendas, including best practice across safeguarding, fostering, and adoption.</li><li>Understanding of both public and private law proceedings and awareness of wider sector developments.</li></ul>Experience:<ul><li>Substantial experience delivering high‑quality children’s services within a local authority setting, including care planning, achieving positive outcomes, and managing budgets.</li></ul><ul><li>Proven experience of staff supervision/management, leading teams in complex and fast‑changing environments, and developing effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.</li><li>Strong track record of multi‑agency partnership working, including in political or strategic arenas, with experience of commissioning and collaborative service delivery.</li><li>Demonstrated commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and achieving positive outcomes for children and families.</li><li>Solid experience of budget forecasting, planning and management.</li></ul>Skills, Abilities &amp; Personal Qualities:<ul><li>Excellent oral and written communication, with the ability to analyse and interpret information, communicate vision, and represent the Council professionally across internal and external forums.</li><li>Strong strategic thinking, risk assessment, workload planning, financial acumen, and ability to manage and interpret budgetary information.</li><li>Ability to persuade, negotiate and influence within a political and multi‑agency environment.</li><li>Skilled in advocating for children, challenging poor practice, managing conflicting priorities, and leading collaborative solutions.</li><li>A resilient, values‑driven leader who can motivate and develop staff, foster inclusive practice, and drive continuous improvement.</li></ul>We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.This job role is within the , level job profile. Please locate this via: Organisational LeadershipIf you wish to have an informal conversation about the role, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:melanie.lamprecht@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">melanie.lamprecht@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a>Interview Date: Monday 16th February 2026 - Face to Face (Farnham House, Stevenage)Benefits of working for us<h4>How to apply</h4>As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.<h4>Additional information</h4>Disability Confident We are proud to be a&nbsp;Disability Confident employer&nbsp;and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure &amp; Barring Service (DBS) check.Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).&nbsp;Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.<h4>Available documents</h4><ul><li>Candidate Pack 19.02.2026.pdf</li></ul> 





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Hertfordshire County Council

Head of Fostering & Adoption Service

Job Title: Senior SEND Resolutions Officer Starting Salary: £42,839 - £47,181 pa Hours: 37 Base Location: Farnham House Stevenage or Apsley, Hemel Hempstead with requirement to travel across the county. Contract Type: Permanent or 12-month secondment Directorate: Childrens Services<h4>About the team</h4>Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.We continue to strive to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.Join our growing team of passionate professionals who share a commitment to making a real difference.<h4>About the role</h4>As a Senior SEND Resolutions Officer, you will play a pivotal role in helping families, professionals and the local authority reach positive, timely and lawful resolutions in complex SEND cases. You will act as the service’s specialist lead for mediation, providing expert oversight of the mediation process and managing high-risk or sensitive cases where negotiation, clarity and balance are essential.You’ll work closely with families, education settings, health partners and legal colleagues to understand issues in depth, explore solutions, and guide all parties towards agreement wherever possible — often preventing escalation to Tribunal. You’ll bring authority and confidence to challenging conversations, using your detailed knowledge of SEND legislation, your analytical skills, and your ability to build trust in emotionally charged situations.In this varied and fast-paced role, you will handle complex casework, identify risks, advise colleagues across the service, and role-model high standards of communication, professionalism and decision-making. You’ll support continual improvement of mediation practice and contribute to a culture that puts children, young people and families at the centre of everything we do.If you have strong SEND experience, thrive on problem-solving, and are passionate about achieving the best outcomes for families, this is a chance to have a real and lasting impact<h4>About you</h4>Essential:<ul><li>Significant knowledge of SEND law and statutory processes, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice and Equality Act 2010.</li><li>Proven experience managing complex SEND casework, systems or processes within a local authority or related setting.</li><li>Strong negotiation, influencing and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage high‑risk or sensitive cases.</li><li>Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to explain complex information clearly and adapt your style for families, professionals and senior stakeholders.</li><li>Highly organised, able to manage competing priorities and plan work across extended periods.</li><li>Demonstrable ability to build constructive relationships with families, schools, health partners and other agencies.</li><li>Experience working with multi‑disciplinary teams and supporting families through challenging or contentious processes.</li><li>Understanding of the wider political, legislative and organisational context impacting SEND services.</li><li>Experience of advocacy, mediation or representing cases at Tribunal or similar formal processes.</li></ul> Desirable:<ul><li>Line management experience</li></ul>We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.This job role is within the&nbsp;Health and Social Care Services, level HSC11&nbsp;job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles - Health and social careTo hear more about this opportunity please contact <a href="mailto:Alistair.Hines@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">Alistair.Hines@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a> / <a href="mailto:Vanessa.Croxford@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">Vanessa.Croxford@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a> for an informal discussion about the role.Interview Date: 6th February in ApsleyBenefits of working for us<h4>How to apply</h4>As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences. Secondment This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the&nbsp;Secondment Form&nbsp;as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.<h4>Additional information</h4>Disability Confident We are proud to be a&nbsp;Disability Confident employer&nbsp;and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure &amp; Barring Service (DBS) check.Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).&nbsp;Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.





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Senior SEND Resolutions Officer

Job Title: SEND EHC Team Lead Location: Apsley, Hemel Hempstead / Stevenage Starting salary: £42,839 to £47,181 per annum Contract: Permanent, 37 hours per week <h4>About the role</h4>We’re looking for passionate and experienced SEND Team Leaders to join our School Age SEND Team. In this role, you’ll lead a dedicated group of EHC Coordinators who manage Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Annual Reviews for school-aged children.As a Team Leader, you’ll guide your team in coordinating professionals across education, health, and care sectors, ensuring plans and provision are coproduced with families in a truly person-centred way. You’ll champion high standards of communication and quality, while maintaining oversight of performance and ensuring statutory timescales are met.Your leadership will be key in delivering our SEND obligations. You’ll provide supervision, support professional development, and oversee induction, training, and performance management processes.You’ll work to build and maintain strong, supportive relationships with education settings and families, ensuring that EHC assessments and plans are developed with care, clarity, and consistency.<h4>About you</h4><ul><li>In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, and SEND Regulations, with the ability to interpret and apply these effectively in practice.</li><li>Proven experience in leading and managing staff, with a track record of delivering excellent service outcomes.</li><li>Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure, managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.</li><li>Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across education, health, and care services.</li><li>Educated to degree level or equivalent, or significant experience within education or SEND-related roles.</li></ul>If you have an unrelenting drive to ensure excellent outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and you can motivate and manage a team to achieve this – this may be your perfect role!For an informal conversation please <a href="mailto:contactanthony.giles@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">contactanthony.giles@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a> /&nbsp; <a href="mailto:rupinder.ahluwalia@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">rupinder.ahluwalia@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a>This job role is level 11 - Please locate the job profile via: Job profiles - Health and social careBenefits of working for us <h4>How to apply</h4>As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.<h4>Additional information</h4>Disability Confident We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure &amp; Barring Service (DBS) check.Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.





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SEND EHC Team Lead

Job Title: ARC Team Manager Starting Salary: £53,806 progressing to £59,497 per annum + 3% MUSHA payment Hours: 37.0 Location: Welwyn Garden City Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Childrens Services<h4>About the team</h4>ARC (Attachment, Regulation &amp; Competency) Services is a countywide therapeutic trauma-based service run by Hertfordshire County Council.The ARC Short Breaks and Rapid Response teams fit within those Services alongside 2 other teams.Our focus is to support families to prevent a child entering the care system through our Short Breaks offer (for young people aged 11-17 under Section 17) and crisis response.The Lakes is the residential element of the services and provides 3 beds for planned admissions into the Short Breaks and 1 Rapid Response bed to be used for 24 hours in a crisis.Since 2009 we have grown and developed our services, and will continue to by introducing new therapeutic interventions to meet the needs of the families of Hertfordshire.<h4>About the role</h4>This role is unique in that it not only requires Ofsted registration for our Short Break service but also to have oversight and management of our Rapid Response team and bed, who respond to families in crisis out of hours.As ARC Team Manager you will oversee and manage both teams being responsible for recruitment, training and development of new staff as well as managing, supervision, performance and sickness.You will be required to provide a cost-effective service by ensuring you keep within budgets, consideration of staffing and managing occupancy levels.You will be required to assess, manage and mitigate risks when looking at compatibility of admissions into Short Breaks alongside the use of our Rapid Response bed in emergencies.Safeguarding will be at your forefront throughout to ensure the safety of young people and their families.As an holistic service you will be required to work in partnership with other agencies including social teams, health, education, CAMHS, police, Ofsted.You will be expected to communicate directly with families to develop / review / adapt the service they are receiving.You will be required to provide monthly data and information to the Service Manager presenting outcomes / stats and predictions.This role also includes being part of a Management on-call rota to provide advice and reassurance to teams out of hours, weekends and Bank holidays.<h4>About you</h4>Essential:<ul><li>Social Work Degree or residential management equivalent.</li><li>Experience of working in the residential sector.</li><li>Knowledge of Quality Standards and Ofsted Regulations.</li><li>Advanced knowledge of Safeguarding.</li><li>Ability to assess, manage and mitigate risk.</li><li>Leadership skills.</li><li>Experience in managing and supervising a staff team.</li><li>Confident communication skills to ensure an open holistic approach to the service offered.</li><li>Understanding of trauma · Flexibility with working hours is required to support teams and families during evening and weekends where needed. </li><li>Driving Licence and access to a vehicle. Desirable:</li><li>Understanding of budgets – training will be provided.</li><li>Ability to gather / present data.</li><li>Knowledge and experience working within ARC Framework / NVR or other therapeutic approaches</li></ul>We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.This job role is within the Health and Social Care Services, level HSC13 job profile. Please locate this via:Job profiles - Health and social careTo hear more about this opportunity please contact Joanne Harris <a href="mailto:joanne.harris@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">joanne.harris@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a>.Interview Date: 11th, 12th and 13th February.&nbsp;Benefits of working for us<h4>How to apply</h4>As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences. <h4>Additional information</h4>Disability Confident We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure &amp; Barring Service (DBS) check.Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.





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ARC Team Manager

Job Title: Senior Social Worker - Transforming Care, 0-25 Together Service Starting Salary: £49,282 progressing to £53,460 per annum per annum including enhancement Hours: 37 Location: Stevenage or Hemel Hempstead - with travel across and out of County (with flexible working) Contract Type:&nbsp;Permanent Directorate: Childrens Services<h4>About the team</h4>Transforming Care is a national programme implemented by NHS England to transform the care and support for children, young people and adults with a learning disability and/or autism who may be in hospital/at risk of hospital admission, or possibly in contact with the Criminal Justice System.&nbsp; The Hertfordshire Transforming Care Team are proud to work to enable people to live ordinary lives in the community despite significant barriers and challenges. Do you have what it takes to keep people at the centre of your approach as you work within a supportive and experienced team to prevent admission, support discharge and build community capacity as suitable alternates to hospital?&nbsp;<h4>About the role</h4>You will work at the forefront of best practice to deliver personalised support to vulnerable adults with the most complex care needs. You will have the skills necessary to develop discharge pathways from psychiatric hospitals and in prevention work to avoid inappropriate admission to hospital. Your work will be adult focused but within a team that offers an All Age approach across the fields of learning disability and autism. You will work alongside wider professional agencies including advocacy, health and local and national commissioner groups to effect change.&nbsp;Essential to the role is the ability to see the potential in people and to take a creative and proactive approach to risk and problem solving despite being challenged to the contrary. You will understand the complex and often conflicting matters of enabling ordinary lives whilst protecting people including the public from harm, and the role legal frameworks play. You will be able to progress and keep people at the centre in ‘stuck’ cultures and systems.&nbsp;<h4>About you</h4>Essential:<ul><li>Qualified and registered Social Worker/Occupational Therapist /Community Nurse adhering to national professional standards.</li><li>Experience and knowledge in learning disabilities, autism, mental health, and relevant legislation.</li><li>Experience in assessing capacity and best interest decision making and in the understanding of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.</li><li>Experience in working and communicating effectively across MDTs, family, advocates, and wider stakeholders such as commissioners and health/social care leads.</li><li>Excellent communication and organisational skills.</li><li>You will be expected to work autonomously, able to Smart Work and visit out of county placements.</li><li>You will have excellent skills in assessment and report writing.</li><li>Experience of complex case management and working with individuals at increased risk of harm.</li><li>Driving licence and access to a vehicle – ability to travel within and outside of the county.</li></ul>Desirable:<ul><li>Ideally you will have experience of working with people placed in inpatient settings; you may have experience of working with people in a forensic setting.</li><li>Ideally you will have experience of tribunal and court of protection work including submitting evidence and court attendance.</li></ul>In return, we will offer excellent learning and varied development opportunities. A protected caseload to deliver intensive and personalised care, regular supervision (including, if relevant, access to clinical specialism supervision), and an approachable and supportive team who are keen to keep their ideas fresh and learn together.This job role is within the&nbsp;Health and Social Care, level HSC11&nbsp;job profile. Please locate this via:Job profiles - Health and social careTo hear more about this opportunity please contact <a href="mailto:Abi.Idris@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">Abi.Idris@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a> for an informal discussion about the role.Interview Date: 27th and 28th JanuaryBenefits of working for us<h4>How to apply</h4>As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences. <h4>Additional information</h4>We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.Disability Confident We are proud to be a&nbsp;Disability Confident employer&nbsp;and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure &amp; Barring Service (DBS) check.Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).&nbsp;Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.





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Senior Social Worker - Transforming Care, 0-25 Together Service

Job Title: Senior Social Worker - Safeguarding Out of Hours Starting Salary: £42,839 progressing to £47,181 per annum (pro rata for part time) Hours: 37 Location: Hatfield Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Adult Care ServicesJoin our Safeguarding out of hours serviceYou’ll need to be an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and Social Work England registered<h4>About the team</h4>Our Safeguarding Out of Hours Service operates outside of the normal working day, therefore shifts are available for evenings, overnight and weekends. You will be based at Police Headquarters, with the option of working from home.&nbsp; Shifts are busy and the work is challenging and varied<h4>About the role</h4>You will be a Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with at least two years of experience as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP).As a SOOHS practitioner, you will deliver professional social care services to individuals and families facing emergency situations in the community outside of normal working hours, anywhere in the county.You will be responsible for completing, recording, and transmitting reports of any interventions to local social care services by the next working day. The role aims to fulfil all the County Council’s statutory duties regarding social care emergencies outside of normal office hours, particularly for vulnerable adults, individuals with learning or physical disabilities, and families affected by mental illness. The team also provides AMHP cover.<h4>About you</h4>Essential:<ul><li>Social Work degree and Registration with Social Work England</li><li>You’ll need to be an Approved Mental Health Professional</li><li>Full Driving Licence</li><li>You will have experience and knowledge of relevant legislation with proven ability working with vulnerable people in health and social care.</li><li>You will have extensive experience and knowledge of safeguarding practice.</li><li>You will be self-motivated, with the ability to work alone when required.</li></ul>We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.This job role is within the Health and Social Care Services, level HSC11 job profile. Please locate this via:Job profiles - Health and social careTo hear more about this opportunity please contact <a href="mailto:jim.barry@hertfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">jim.barry@hertfordshire.gov.uk</a> for an informal discussion about the role.Interview Date: week commencing 2 FebruaryBenefits of working for us<h4>How to apply</h4>As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.<h4>Additional information</h4>Disability Confident We are proud to be a&nbsp;Disability Confident employer&nbsp;and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure &amp; Barring Service (DBS) check.Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).&nbsp;Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.





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6 Social Work Jobs in Hertfordshire