Social Worker - Adoption Team

Responsibilities

• Recruit, Assess, and Prepare: Work closely with prospective adoptive parents, conducting interviews, compiling reports, and providing expert advice to assist the Panel in making informed decisions.
• Support Matching and Placement: Help approved adopters find the right match, providing support during introductions, placement, and the adoption process, including court representation and training as needed.
• Permanency Planning Leadership: Play a key role in permanency planning by guiding and supporting child care social workers with decisions and processes related to adoption.

If you\’re ready to make a difference and want to be part of a supportive, professional, and diverse team, apply today!

Qualifications

• Extensive Experience: Significant post-qualifying experience in the social or health care field.
• Strong Decision-Making Skills: Confidence in making professional judgments in multidisciplinary settings.
• A Solid Understanding of Child Care and Adoption: Including knowledge of child care and adoption legislation, and the lifelong impact adoption has on adopted people, their families, and birth families.
• Expertise in Communication: Familiarity with theories and techniques for effectively communicating with children.
• In-Depth Knowledge of Legislation: Comprehensive understanding of statutory responsibilities and quality standards in Adoption Services.

We do ask that you have DipSW, CQSW, or an equivalent recognised professional qualification.

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents. The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days\’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
• Friday Funday Socials – One Friday every 2 months where we encourage our staff to get together to socialise after work