Do you thrive on challenges and want to help children, young people, and families build brighter futures? If that sounds like you - this could be your next step.

We're looking for two passionate experienced Social Workers to join our dedicated team at our Newry and Armagh Family Resource Centre, part of Barnardo's.

Our service has been operating for over 30 years and has strong reputation for supporting families through tough times, helping them find strength, stability, and hope.

This is more than a job, it's a chance to make a real difference. You'll work directly with families, carrying out assessments and providing therapeutic support that changes lives.

What we're looking for:

• A qualified Social Worker (with post-AYE experience)
• Experience working with children and families; undertaking childcare assessments/court directed work
• Someone who builds strong, trusting relationships with both children and adults
• A positive, can-do attitude and a collaborative approach
• Flexibility to adapt to families' needs
• A commitment to learning and professional growth
• (Please review the additional information sheet for the full eligibility criteria)

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Are you a strategic leader with a passion for driving organisational impact? We're looking for an experienced professional to join us as Head of Strategy Implementation (Interim). This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering our current Strategy and Theory of Change, ensuring momentum and alignment across the charity.

This role is fixed term until September 2026, working 29 hours per week. The successful candidate will be required to attend meetings at least once a week as needed in central London and to attend meetings in other locations across the UK with reasonable notice.

Interviews will be held either in person in central London or virtually on Monday 22nd December. We appreciate this is a busy time of year and not all candidates will be able to travel. There may be a second, in person, interview in the New Year as part of the process.
 
What you'll do:

• Lead the implementation of our Strategy and Theory of Change, embedding cross-departmental collaboration through Thematic Oversight Groups.
• Oversee progress on strategic priorities, on behalf of the Chief Executive.
• Undertake engagement in preparation for a limited review and refresh of the Theory of Change which is due to take place in Q3-Q4 2026-2027.
• Provide senior leadership oversight of our Policy & Public Affairs function and support integrated working across the Strategy & External Affairs Department.
• Prepare reports for the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.·
• Oversee data-led quarterly reporting via a dashboard, driving quality assurance and continual improvement.

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Join Barnardo's Scotland Fostering North as a Supervising Social Worker

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people? Barnardo's Scotland Fostering North is looking for a dedicated Qualified Supervising Social Worker to join our dynamic and supportive team.

Location: Hybrid, with travel mainly across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and some in Moray and Highland. Wider travel across Scotland may be required for meetings and training. Our team meets both online and in-person at our Aberdeen office. 

About the Role
You'll be part of a multidisciplinary team including social workers, children's workers, therapists, managers, and administrative staff. Together, we recruit, supervise and support foster carers who provide safe, nurturing homes for looked after children and young people referred by Local Authorities.

What We're Looking For
We're seeking a qualified social worker with experience and enthusiasm in Children's Services/Fostering. You'll bring strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to trauma-informed practice, and the ability to work collaboratively across regions.

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Most people know very little about what it’s like to grow up in care. We spoke to 24-year-old Sara, a care leaver from Lincolnshire, about her experience and what she wants people to understand about life for children and young people in or leaving care.

How has being in care shaped who you are today?
“Even at school, when we were learning about family types, they talked about stepfamilies and adoption, but it was never covered that people could be fostered. My friends never really understood why I called my foster mum by her first name. And then it always led to awkward conversations and thinking how much can I disclose without weirding them off too much?

“But I wouldn't be me without being in care. I frankly don't think I would talk which is crazy because that’s the main thing I do now!  - I definitely don't think I'd talk at events in Parliament, like I do now. I feel like I now know who I am without my siblings and my family name."

What was your experience of going into care?
“I was about eight when we first went into care, but it was interesting when I got my care records because they predate my existence. So, it turns out social services were involved before I was alive. Which is crazy because it's like, how come my records start before I did?

Click here to read the full article.

In November, our campaigns team attended an inspiring parliamentary event hosted by Barnardo’s and chaired by Darren Puffy MP. The event placed young people with care experience at the heart of the conversation, giving them the platform to share their stories and shape the debate on what needs to change in the care system. 

Jake and Tia, two incredible young people, spoke candidly about their experiences in care and as care leavers. They highlighted the lack of practical and mental health support, unresolved trauma, negative experiences in supported accommodation, and the absence of lasting relationships. Their testimonies revealed the harsh realities of facing homelessness, eviction, and the challenges of navigating the benefits system – such as struggling to pay council tax when starting work. 

The panel also featured key figures shaping policy for children and families: 

• Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families 
• Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee 
• Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council 

The discussion underscored a shared commitment: law and policy must reflect what care leavers are telling us they need – secure housing, mental health support, and lifelong relationships. 

Click here to read the full article

Do you want to make a real difference in children and young people's lives? If so, then we would like you to join our dedicated team of social workers and help empower children to thrive. We believe in quality over quantity, ensuring manageable caseloads so you can truly focus on the people you support. Regular supervision, peer support, and emotional wellbeing resources are all part of how we care for our team. We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our small friendly team, who are well linked in with the wider Barnardo's organisation across the UK.

Fostering Service, covering Wales. We offer flexible working options, and a strong support network, and ongoing professional development to ensure you feel valued and supported in your career. 

The suitably applicant will be enthusiastic, creative and passionate about supporting children and young people who are cared for by their foster families. You will be able to work therapeutically with people who have experienced trauma and loss in their lives. You will work in a way that acknowledges and validates their experiences and work with hope that their future may be different. You will also have opportunities to design and deliver training to a team of committed foster parents and peers. You will have strong assessment skills in order to complete Form F's and annual reviews.

Ready to take the next step in your social work career? If the answer yes, then we very much look forward to you joining the team.

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Barnardo's is one of the UK's leading children's charities, and our North West Fostering Service is committed to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive homes for children and young people. We are now seeking a passionate and skilled Practice Manager to join our dedicated team.

About the Role
As a Practice Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting a team of Supervisory Social Workers to provide high-quality care. You will:

Supervise, support, and develop Supervisory Social Workers to ensure the best outcomes for children and carers.
Undertake Quality Assurance of all reports, assessments, annual reviews that have been completed by a Supervisory Social Worker for our carers.
Have a lead area to develop the service
Contribute to the matching process and placement stability.
Oversee our duty and recruitment processes
Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including LA, commissioning teams, children, families, carers, and professionals.
Maintain accurate and timely records in line with regulatory requirements.
Ensure compliance with NMS and Fostering Regulations
What We're Looking For

We're seeking someone who is:

• A qualified Social Worker (DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent) registered with Social Work England.
• Experienced in fostering or children's social care.
• Skilled in building strong, supportive relationships.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Able to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends (on call rota)

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Barnardo’s and Wicked: For Good are teaming up to help change childhoods for the better. The partnership aims to raise money to make sure as many children as possible achieve their dreams – because together, anything is possible.  

We spoke to three young people, Becca (20), from our B-Amplified Network, and Doreen (17) and Gracie (16), from our SEEN initiative, about why the feeling of belonging is so important and how support from Barnardo’s has impacted their life.

Click here to read the full article

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Would you like to join an enthusiastic and passionate staff team where we believe every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive home?

We are currently recruiting a qualified social worker who has experience working with children in the care system. We know all children need loving, caring and dedicated adults in their life. That's why we work hard every day to find that family who can go on that journey with children and give them the future they deserve.

About Us
We are committed to providing exceptional fostering and adoption services to ensure that children find stability, security, and the opportunity to thrive. We work closely with families, carers, and professionals to create positive outcomes for children.

Some of the Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assessment of prospective foster carers and adopters using the BAAF Form F and AAR frameworks.
• Attending multi-disciplinary meetings, Looked After Children reviews and panels.
• Regular supervision and support to foster carers and adopters.
• Timely recording and good communication with all professionals involved in children's lives.
• Pre and post-approval training delivery.
• Participation in the office duty system on a rota basis.

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We have an exciting opportunity to join our creative and dynamic team. Our Adoption team in Scotland have a breadth of experience in adoption in assessment, family finding and post adoption services.

As an Adoption Social Worker, you will work within a team of social workers, family finder, therapeutic support worker and psychotherapist to recruit, train, assess and support prospective adopters across Scotland. Our aim is to provide safe, loving and nurturing families for the children who are in need of permanent homes.  You will work with our adopters, the children's local authorities and other professionals to maintain the best quality of service, support and outcomes for children and families.

We are seeking applicants who have:

• experience in working with children and their families
• experience working with trauma and loss
• a knowledge of key policies and regulations in adoption, including the Promise
• good communication and assessment skills
• ability to work autonomously and as part of a team

Key tasks include:​

• Contributing to and presenting at relevant multi agency meetings such as Looked After reviews, Placement Planning meetings and Panels
• Working alongside our family finder and local authority colleagues to find the right match for children and adopters
• Timely recording and good communication with all professionals involved throughout the children and families journeys
• Training delivery in a variety of settings, in person and online
• Participation in our family fun days and support groups

Assessment of prospective adopters and completion of assessment reports, including analysis

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