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- Tasks: Support post-adoption contact and maintain connections for adopted children.
- Company: Join Adoption South East, a regional agency dedicated to adoption services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, diverse benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with 3 years of post-qualifying experience required.
- Other info: Positions funded for two years; interviews on 22nd June 2025.
Adoption South East is a regional adoption agency delivering adoption services on behalf of our four partner Local Authorities, East and West Sussex, Surrey and Brighton and Hove. We operate a hybrid model of working and have an office in Horsham, Brighton, Reigate and Eastbourne, and a central Hub in Lewes East Sussex. We are looking to recruit two part time Senior Social Workers to become part of our Keeping in Touch (KiT) team, supporting post-adoption contact and working hard to maintain meaningful connections for an adopted child. These are two new posts which are funded for two years.
We are a specialist team as part of ASE’s Adoption Support Hub who are responsible for supporting, facilitating and regularly reviewing an adopted child’s Keeping in Touch arrangements, to ensure they remain safe, manageable and are child focused. This may include Letterbox exchange (indirect), and/or Face-to-Face meetings (direct), depending on the child’s needs and circumstances. We also create opportunities for adoptive families to connect and build community through Playgroups and Events.
We are looking for candidates who:
- Have strong social work values, assessing, mediation and collaboration skills
- Have experience of working with adoption, permanence or complex family networks
- Are able to manage a complex caseload, working closely with adoptive families, adopted young people and birth/first families to help navigate complex emotions and challenges, and ensure Keeping in Touch plans remain safe, flexible and child focused
- Confident in supervising and supporting team members
- Promote peer support through community groups and events
- Organised and emotionally resilient
- Able to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and external agencies providing consultation, professional insight and guidance to promote child focused keeping in touch plans
- Able to embed practice that reflects the evolving landscape to modernise post-adoption contact
- You must be able to travel across the Adoption South East region
- Are a qualified Social Worker with 3 years post qualifying experience, and is Social Work England registered
To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Cover Letter. We will be using your Cover Letter to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall, Lewes on the 22nd June 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an evolving service as we develop this area of work and a key area of responsibilities will be to work with our partner local authorities children’s teams and ASE’s children Hub to provide advice and guidance in respect of KiT arrangements. We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Sacha Hebden, Team Manager or Jo Elsey, Service Manager Email: sacha.hebden@eastsussex.gov.uk OR jo.elsey@eastsussex.gov.uk
Senior Social Worker, Adoption South East employer: East Sussex County Council
Contact Detail:
East Sussex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker, Adoption South East
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges of post-adoption contact. Understanding the nuances of Keeping in Touch arrangements will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions with the interview panel.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the adoption sector, especially those who work within Adoption South East or similar agencies. Building connections can provide you with insights into the organisation's culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex family dynamics and how you've successfully navigated these situations in the past. Highlighting specific examples will showcase your ability to manage a complex caseload effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends and best practices in adoption support services. Being knowledgeable about current developments will not only impress your interviewers but also show your commitment to evolving practices in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker, Adoption South East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Social Worker position. Make notes on how your experience aligns with the specific skills and values they are looking for.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalised cover letter that directly addresses the criteria in the person specification. Use specific examples from your work or life experience that demonstrate your skills in social work, particularly in adoption and complex family networks.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience with post-adoption contact, managing caseloads, and working collaboratively with families and professionals. This will show that you understand the complexities involved in the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at East Sussex County Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in adoption and working with complex family networks. Be prepared to discuss specific cases where you've successfully navigated challenges, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage a complex caseload.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with adoptive families and various professionals, it's crucial to showcase your collaboration and mediation skills. Share examples of how you've effectively worked in teams or facilitated discussions to resolve conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Resilience
The role requires emotional resilience, so be ready to discuss how you handle stress and maintain focus in challenging situations. Sharing personal strategies or experiences can illustrate your ability to stay organised and effective under pressure.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-life situations. Think about potential challenges related to Keeping in Touch arrangements and how you would approach them, ensuring your answers reflect a child-focused perspective.
