Social Worker – Adoption Assessment, South Essex
Permanent, Full Time
£37,185 to £50,081 per annum
Location: Basildon
Working Style: Operational field-based worker
About The Role
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 having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row. Are you ready to play a vital role in shaping brighter futures for children and families? Join our passionate adoption team, where your skills and dedication will help guide prospective adopters through every step of their journey.
As part of this role, you’ll assess individuals and families who are eager to adopt, offering expert guidance and heartfelt support as they prepare to welcome a child into their lives. You’ll be actively involved in matching children with adoptive families, working collaboratively with colleagues across Adopt East to ensure every placement is thoughtful, supported, and successful. Together, we’ll provide ongoing support to children and their adopters post-placement, helping them thrive in their new family environment.
What You\'ll Do
- Assess complex social care needs, offering crucial support to children and families.
- Assess prospective adopters and consider their support needs for the task of adoption.
- Support adopters with the family finding task, post placement.
- Develop adoption support plans that empower families and build resilience.
- Navigate the statutory legal framework, ensuring timely intervention when needed.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and the voluntary sector to provide comprehensive support.
- Champion a relational based approach, emphasising partnership working.
- Communicate assessments and professional judgments clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Work with families, communities, and individuals to support strategic aims and promote well-being.
- Manage individual and shared targets within the performance management framework.
Your Experience
- A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Continued professional development aligned with relevant competency frameworks.
- Experience in writing assessments, challenging social and family situations within a social work setting.
- Strong communication skills with adults and children, building rapport with diverse groups.
- Direct work experience with families, showcasing your ability to connect on a personal level.
- Proven ability to manage competing demands, meeting required deadlines.
- Establishing strong relationships with partners, agencies, and the local community.
- Understanding the value-for-money delivery of interventions balanced against need.
- Clear decision‑making skills to highlight and mitigate potential risks associated with intervention.
The Role Requires You to Be Mobile
Throughout the wider operational area across Essex and beyond, the role involves travelling and transporting service users and their belongings, including in emergencies. A driving licence and access to a car or alternative means of meeting mobility requirements is essential.
Interviews
Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 13th November 2025 at County Hall, Chelmsford.
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. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, Essex is the ideal place for you to develop your career or contribute to the local community.
We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements. We also interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. We value integrity and ethical behaviour, asking all applicants to embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles.
Contact
For queries on this role or to request additional information, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
