At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Adoption Support Team to provide vital support to adopted children and families.
- Company: Be part of Adopt London East, a dynamic Regional Adoption Agency.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and leadership in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in need.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years of social work experience and a relevant qualification.
The predicted salary is between 48600 - 55000 £ per year.
We are recruiting an advanced practitioner who is an experienced social worker with at least 3 years post qualifying experience to join an Adoption Support Team within Adopt London East. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of this Regional Adoption Agency which provides adoption services on behalf of the London Boroughs of Havering (host borough), Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets and Newham.
The Adoption Support Team provide a service to adopted children and their adoptive families, birth families and adopted adults. Our social work team assess the support needs of adoptive families, provide support intervention to families, work alongside multi-professional networks including education, social care and early help teams, etc. and help to deliver on our core offer which includes courses to parents, opportunities for adoptive families to meet each other and support groups for birth relatives.
Our family connections team establish and maintain relationships between adopted children and young people and their birth family. This includes arranging and supervising Family Time which is when there is an in person relationship. This service continues up to when a young person is 26 years old, so there is the opportunity for direct work with young adults. This is a varied role which includes the opportunity to manage staff across both of these services and take a lead in developing key areas.
In this role you will play a key role in the delivery of a highly effective Adoption Support Service as we work to improve outcomes for children and young people. You will be responsible for managing a small caseload, carrying out high-quality assessments, support planning and ensuring the safeguarding and protection of children. You will be required to identify and assess risk and need and deliver protective or supportive services for children and their families and have an understanding of the complex needs of adopted children and families.
You will be responsible for managing and supervising a small number of qualified and non-social work staff. You will therefore need to have leadership skills, where you are able to organise and motivate and act as a role model. You will work alongside and support the team manager in maintaining and developing high professional standards across the team. This is a busy and diverse service area which requires the ability to be organised and prioritise work on a daily basis. This includes providing oversight to duty services and allocating work.
Your excellent communication skills will be essential to your success in your ability to work as part of the team and develop effective working relationships with adoptive families, birth families and adopted adults who may be in distress. As a service committed to providing excellent customer service you will proactively seek and effectively use information to inform service delivery and meet the current and future needs of children and families and adopted adults.
Along with a CQSW, Diploma in Social Work, or equivalent qualification and HCPC registration, you will possess a firm knowledge of current policy and practice and the ability to apply legislation to work practice. You will need to have a minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience, including statutory social work and experience/understanding of adoption specific issues.
Interview date: 11 – 12 May 2026. Presentation/Assessment required at interview stage.
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
Locations: Town Hall, Romford, Essex, RM1 3BB, GB
Advanced Practitioner Adoption Team in Romford employer: Havering
Contact Detail:
Havering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner Adoption Team in Romford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience in adoption support. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research common questions for advanced practitioner roles and think about how your experience aligns with the needs of the Adoption Support Team. Practise your answers with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience managing staff and how you've motivated teams in the past. This is key for the role, so make sure it shines through in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Practitioner Adoption Team in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in social work and adoption support.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing staff, don’t forget to mention any leadership experiences you have. Talk about how you've motivated teams or led projects, as this will show us you're ready for the responsibilities of the position.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role, and make sure your passion for the job shines through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Havering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of adoption policies and practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by adopted children and families, as well as the services provided by Adopt London East. This will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your post-qualifying experience in social work, especially any relevant cases you've handled. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've assessed needs, managed caseloads, and worked with multi-professional networks. This will help demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing staff, think about times when you've successfully led a team or motivated colleagues. Share examples that highlight your ability to organise, prioritise, and inspire others. This will be key in showing that you can take on a leadership role within the Adoption Support Team.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice your communication skills before the interview. You’ll need to convey complex information clearly and empathetically, especially when discussing sensitive topics. Consider role-playing with a friend to refine your approach and ensure you can build rapport with the interviewers.