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- Tasks: Lead the journey of children to adoptive placements and support families through the process.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures and work with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Social Work degree, experience in child care social work, and strong report writing skills.
- Other info: Open to flexible working arrangements and committed to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 29300 - 37300 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA
Salary: £35,353 - £45,982 (inclusive of market premium £3,283) per annum
Working Hours: 37 Hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 23rd February 2026
Interview Date(s): 5th March 2026
About the Role
The work of the team is to provide permanence through identifying and matching children and adopters together. This requires taking the lead in securing early permanence by taking responsibility for a child’s journey to an adoptive placement from the point that adoption is considered to be a potential outcome. The team are looking for experienced and passionate social workers to work within our stable and developing team alongside supportive and approachable managers.
The Permanence Social Worker will work alongside the fieldwork teams when care plans are being twin tracked with a plan of adoption. The Permanence Social Worker will complete Child Permanence Reports and Sibling Assessments during court proceedings and will take the lead for ensuring that the child is fully prepared and that adopters are well supported by providing all relevant paperwork that gives detailed and robust analysis of the child’s current and predicted needs based on their past experiences. This will inform matching, introduction and placement support.
The Permanence Social Worker takes on the role of allocated social worker from point of Placement Order and therefore supports children through the process of being matched, introduced and settled in their adoptive families up to the granting of an Adoption Order.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
- To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Have a Social Work degree or equivalent, e.g. CQSW, DipSW (with specialism in children’s services) and be registered with Social Work England.
- Preferably you will have a number of years post qualifying experience in Child Care social work including experience of adoption i.e. family finding and matching through to Adoption Order.
- Be able to complete reports such as Child Permanence Reports, Adoption Support plans and Annex A’s to a high standard and work within tight deadlines where needed.
- Be able to evidence your skills and knowledge of creative, innovative, and relationship-based social work, working in collaboration with families and professionals. Ideally you will already be confident in the application of the Signs of Safety methodology.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for practice and be committed to helping us build a real culture of reflection and learning.
- Commitment to Trauma Informed practice.
- Have a full valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working?
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Emma E Johnson- Permanence Team Manager Telephone: 01163052345
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Permanence Social Worker employer: ESPO Trading Limited
Contact Detail:
ESPO Trading Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Permanence Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Leicestershire County Council and the Permanence Team. Understanding their values and recent projects can help you connect during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role, especially around adoption and child permanence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the values of the council.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Leicestershire County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Permanence Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for social work shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives, so share your experiences and motivations clearly.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the criteria listed in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of your skills and experiences, so don’t hold back on showcasing what makes you a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on communicating your qualifications effectively.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website to ensure you don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESPO Trading Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of child permanence and adoption processes. Brush up on your knowledge of Child Permanence Reports and the Signs of Safety methodology, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for social work and your commitment to making a difference in children's lives. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your dedication to trauma-informed practice and relationship-based social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios you might face as a Permanence Social Worker. Think through examples where you've successfully matched children with adopters or navigated complex care plans, and be ready to discuss your thought process.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions prepared. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the team’s values align with yours. Consider asking about their approach to supporting social workers or how they foster a culture of reflection and learning.
