Adoption Social Worker in Bristol

This is not a Wiltshire Council vacancy therefore please contact Adoption West for further information.

Salary: £19,313 - £20,238 per annum

Hours: 18.5 per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 16th April 2025

Interview date: 23rd April 2025

Location: Across the Adoption West Area.

Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency and registered Voluntary Adoption Agency, owned and commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Councils. Adoption West provides a range of adoption services including:

• The recruitment and assessment of prospective adopters.
• Family finding services for children requiring permanency via adoption.
• Post adoption support services.
• Services to birth family and adopted adults.

This is an exciting time to join Adoption West as we build on the solid foundations already in place and our Good rating from Ofsted. This role is in our Recruitment & Assessment Team.

Main duties:

• Recruiting, preparing and assessing prospective adopters.
• Linking and matching approved adopters with children.
• Supporting prospective adopters following the placement of children & up until the point an Adoption Order is granted.
• Preparing reports for adoption panel and court.
• Assessing Early Permanence carers/providing fostering supervision and support to these carers.
• Providing duty support across the region.
• Assessing non-agency adopters (previously step-parent approvals).

You will need:

• A Social Work Qualification (degree or equivalent) and current registration with Social Work England (this is an essential requirement).
• A minimum of two years experience within a childcare team/to include safeguarding alongside an in-depth knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004.
• An understanding of early life experiences such as trauma or abuse and the impact they can have on children and young people throughout their lives.
• The ability to analyse complex information to make recommendations and informed decisions.
• The ability to complete comprehensive assessments in a timely manner.
• The ability to work both as part of a team, sharing knowledge and managing cases.
• The ability to use your own initiative and work independently.
• Experience of managing your own caseload and working to deadlines.
• To be competent in the use of IT and case management systems.

These posts require you to work flexibly and juggle a busy caseload. You need to be able to travel around the region and must be able to drive and have access to your own vehicle.

You will report to the Deputy Team Manager and contribute to the delivery and development of effective adoption services, in accordance with Adoption Standards and Regulations.

Adoption West: is an organisation with a wealth of experience and has a learning culture committed to enabling the post holder to grow and develop in their role. It provides support through supervision and training, offers flexible working arrangements, including job shares, provides a Local Government Pension Scheme and access to the Child Care vouchers scheme.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact:

• Bill Boon - Team Manager - 07394 569550
• Emma Sergeant - Deputy Team Manager - 07701 363578

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will require an Enhanced DBS check before appointment can be confirmed.

Confidentiality: Employees are expected to maintain the required level of confidentiality at all times in relation to their work.

To apply, please click the apply button and continue to our careers website to complete our online application form.