Salary £40,777 - £46,142 Per annum| Pro Rata | Permanent| Part-Time 18.5 hours per week
International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship
We’re looking for a part-time Senior Practitioner (Grade 9) to join our Fostering Mainstream Assessment Team.
This is a permanent role working 18.5 hours per week and is available to start anytime from the 1st September 2026.
Our Mainstream Assessment Team
Our Team leads on recruiting and assessing Lancashire's mainstream foster carers. This includes initial visits, completing full fostering assessments, and preparing families through tailored training so they feel confident, supported, and ready for the fostering journey.
Both teams are based at County Hall in Preston, although we currently work flexibly. As our work takes us across Lancashire, you’ll need to be able to travel independently.
Our Values – What Matters to Us
Everything we do is grounded in clear and heartfelt principles:
What You Can Expect When You Join Us
Who We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from social workers who share our values and want to make a real difference. You’ll be someone who is:
Supportive – You understand how powerful it is when carers feel truly supported, and you’re committed to helping children feel safe, happy, and loved.
Innovative – You enjoy exploring new ideas and contributing to initiatives that help us continually improve what we offer.
Respectful – You recognise the diverse needs of our children, carers, and colleagues, and your practice is inclusive and anti-discriminatory.
Collaborative – You value partnership working and want to play an active role in shaping the future of our fostering service.
Interested?
If you’re passionate about relationship-building, committed to achieving positive outcomes, and want to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team, we’d love to speak with you.
For an informal chat about the role or to learn more about the service, please contact:
Gareth Winstanley (Fostering Team Manager)| 01772 534627| gareth.winstanley@lancashire.gov.uk
This position is part time, please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent, the salary received will be paid on a pro–rata basis.
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.
In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.
We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Lancashire County Council is committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in Lancashire. We believe that all our citizens have the right to be treated fairly. We recognise that some people do not get an equal chance in life.
For some of our children and young people this can have a lasting impact on their future. We will play our part in helping to narrow the gaps that exist between different parts our communities and improving the quality of life of those who have less advantages and are in danger of poor outcomes.
As a community leader, employer and provider of services we want to make sure that everyone in Lancashire has the opportunity to achieve their potential, no matter where they live or what their background, individual characteristics or personal circumstances might be.
