At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adoptive families and children, providing training and one-to-one assistance.
- Company: Join Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool, a forward-thinking Regional Adoption Agency.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with clear career progression and networking opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of adopted children and their families.
- Qualifications: Experience as a social worker and registration with the Social Care Council required.
The predicted salary is between 40777 - 40777 £ per year.
Salary: £36,363 - £40,777 per annum | Fixed Term Full Time, 37 hours per week.
Are you ready to be part of a team committed to enhancing the lives of adoptive children, their families and adopted adults? Join us as a Social Worker, where your expertise will be valued, and your dedication celebrated. At Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool (ALB), you will have the opportunity to significantly impact the future of adoption and drive innovation within the field.
We're currently looking for an experienced social worker to join our Adoption Support Team within ALB, which is a Regional Adoption Agency hosted by Lancashire County Council (LCC). ALB delivers Family Finding, Recruitment & Assessment, and Adoption Support on behalf of three authorities. Our Adoption Support Team provides support to families affected by adoption across Lancashire and Blackpool, including support to birth families and adopted adults. Our team offers a range of support from training workshops, social events, as well as one-to-one support to children and their families. We also support adopted adults in understanding their early life history.
This role is a permanent, full-time position. Would you like to be part of an innovative and creative team? It is an exciting time for the service, particularly Adoption Support, where we have created our Adoption Communities and our Therapeutic Service. Our Adoption Community includes peer groups for adopted children, young people and their parents, specialist workshops, and developing a peer buddying and mentoring offer, which you will host alongside our team members. In addition to this, you will be responsible for promoting our therapeutic service with our families, with potential to co-deliver some of these workshops.
Working for a Local Authority provides unique advantages and opportunities, and this role is no different. You can expect:
- Stability and Support: You will be joining a team of social workers and support workers who are supported by two team managers. You will receive regular 1:1 supervision and will have access to the wider Council's full health and wellbeing package. As a Local Authority employee, you will also be supported by the wider Children's Services and have access to regular networking events with colleagues from other Services and Directorates.
- Career Progression: We have developed a clearly defined pathway for career progression and advancement, with opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, pursue further education and training. We offer over 50 internal free training courses, as well as the opportunity to gain formal qualifications up to Degree level, regular development days, conferences, and external training events.
- Job Security and Benefits: Working under the umbrella of a Local Authority, you can rely on our commitment to long-term service through many benefits such as incremental increases of annual leave and flexible working arrangements. You will have access to external partner promotions, such as Blue Light Card and Viv-Up, and a car leasing scheme through Tusker.
If you are interested in joining our team and learning more about these roles, please contact Sarah Hortop at Sarah.hortop@adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk. Interviews for this post will take place on the 3rd July 2026 at County Hall, Preston. Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.
You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability. The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful, you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'.
You must be registered (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with the Social Care Council. In return, Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on the LCC Vacancies website. We reserve the right to close a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
Social Worker | Adoption Support Team | Full Time employer: Lancashire County Council
At Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool (ALB), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the lives of adoptive children and their families. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through extensive training opportunities and a clear career progression pathway, all while providing job security and a comprehensive benefits package. Join our innovative team in a role that not only values your expertise but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker | Adoption Support Team | Full Time
✨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 Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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 Social Worker | Adoption Support Team | Full Time
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 Lancashire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lancashire County 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 Lancashire County 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.
