Social Worker - Post Adoption

Social Worker – Post Adoption

Permanent, Full Time

£37,185 to £50,081 per annum

Location: Countywide

Working Style: Community-based worker

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It\’s an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, but we are also delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

The Opportunity

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of adopted children, young people and their families; supporting them to overcome the impact of neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of therapeutic services, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

Social workers within the Post Adoption Team manage a defined caseload, including assessment of support needs and purposeful intervention through direct relationship-based work and review. Delivering excellent practice and value for money services.

A registered social worker, educated to degree level, with at least 2 years post qualifying experience in Children and Families and with the ability to demonstrate practice in accordance with current professional standards. Experienced in developing strong working relationships with partners, other agencies and stakeholders to deliver improved outcomes.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our \’No Magic\’ Children & Families video

Accountabilities

• Assess Post Adoption Support needs and provide support to children and families accordingly.
• Develop support plans that gain commitment to solutions that enable the child, young person and family to build resilience and look forward to a brighter future.
• Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, including adoption regulations, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached.
• Work collaboratively, building effective relationships with internal and external partnerships and stakeholders and the voluntary sector, to assist children and their families and in accessing support.
• Accountable for conducting assessments and plan responses to safeguard a child or young person and promote their welfare, including appropriate intervention as determined by need.
• Develop a child centred approach which enables early intervention and prevention and increases independence.
• Pro-actively influences in a range of inter-agency planning, decision making and case discussions.
• Communicate assessments and professional judgements clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing, including report writing.
• Work with families, communities and individuals to help people get the best start in life and age well, supporting strategic aims.

The Experience You Will Bring

• A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England) as a registered social worker.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• At least 2 years post qualifying experience within a Children and Families social work setting, with evidence of challenging social and family situations.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community, to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and families.
• Understand delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
• Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.
• Experience/knowledge of adoption work and the life long impact of early life trauma and disrupted attachments.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we\’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone\’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government\’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We\’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We\’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you\’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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