Previous research has shown that the role of the social worker is important for children’s wellbeing in care. However, changes in government policy over the last 15 years have led to children, social workers, the government, and other professionals conceptualising the role in different ways. While good relationships between children and social workers are an integral part of helping children achieve wellbeing in care, research suggests this is difficult to achieve in practice. This research aims to use an ecological framework to explore the contemporary role of the social worker with children in long-term care.