At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adoptive families and individuals, managing your own caseload and facilitating group sessions.
- Company: Join One Adoption West Yorkshire, a dynamic regional adoption agency.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and children through meaningful support.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, understanding of trauma, and strong engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Kirklees Council are advertising this role on behalf of One Adoption. Location: Kernel House, Leeds, with some opportunities for working from home.
One Adoption West Yorkshire is a regional adoption agency, delivering adoption services on behalf of the five local authorities in West Yorkshire. We are currently seeking Adoption Support Workers to join our teams, based at Kernel House, Leeds. As an Adoption Support Worker, you’ll help provide practical and meaningful support to adoptive families, birth families and people who are adopted across West Yorkshire. This is an exciting opportunity to hold your own caseload, work alongside qualified social workers and contribute to groups and wider service development as opportunities arise.
One Adoption West Yorkshire is hosted by Leeds City Council and, as such, the successful candidates will be employed by Leeds City Council. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
- Experience of effectively undertaking work with children and families
- An understanding of the impact of early life trauma and adverse childhood experiences
- The ability to engage well with children, adoptive families and birth families
- Motivation, dedication and a commitment to supporting families through adoption support services
- A willingness to contribute to team working, group facilitation and service development
About the role
As our next Adoption Support Worker, you’ll work alongside qualified social workers to provide support to adoptive families, birth families and people who are adopted. You will hold your own caseload and have opportunities to be involved in facilitating groups and supporting service development. The part-time post is based in the Supporting Connections team, working with families across West Yorkshire. The full-time post is based in the Wakefield Adoption Support team, working more locally within the Wakefield and Leeds areas. Both posts are based at Kernel House, Leeds, with some working from home opportunities. You will be joining a supportive team and wider service, with good supervision, professional development opportunities and the chance to be part of something stimulating, creative and forward-thinking.
What we offer you
- A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to service requirements
- A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's or Adults' barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates.
Adoption Support Worker - One Adoption employer: Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council is an excellent employer that prioritises the wellbeing of its staff and the community. With a supportive work culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students, this role as a Pastoral Wellbeing & Policy Coordinator offers a rewarding experience in a collaborative environment. Located in a vibrant area, employees benefit from a strong sense of community and the potential for a permanent position after the initial contract.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adoption Support Worker - One Adoption
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kirklees Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kirklees Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kirklees Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kirklees Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Adoption Support Worker - One Adoption
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kirklees Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
