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- Tasks: Lead and support social workers in adoption assessments and family finding for children.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, dedicated to improving lives of children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, bonuses, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in adoption services and team supervision.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to equality and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of Practice Manager within the Adopter Recruitment, Assessment and Family Finding Team within Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Voluntary Adoption Agency.
As a practice manager you will supervise and support social workers undertaking adopter assessments and family finding for children with a plan of adoption and implementing practice developments in line with local and national needs and the modernising adoption agenda, building on the progress made in achieving the Ofsted judgement of GOOD with outstanding features in February 2025.
You will be joining a motivated and skilled team of practitioners and managers who aspire to developing and delivering services in line with learning from research, feedback and best practice models.
What will you be doing?
- You will work with the team manager to support the service in its role of recruiting, training, and assessing prospective adoptive parents and supporting them through the matching and placement process.
- You will work closely with colleagues with the Children’s Trust in respect of leading on family finding and permanence planning for children with a plan of adoption.
- You will maintain an oversight of practice standards and compliance using case auditing and monitoring of service KPIs.
- You will work collaboratively with the service and team manager to develop and improve practice in line with the service plan.
About you
We are looking for someone who is passionate about developing and delivering high quality services for Children, Young People, and their Families. Northamptonshire Children’s Trust have a Relational Practice Approach and the pillars that empower best practice include Trauma Informed Approach, Systemic Practice and Signs of Safety.
You will need to have experience of adoption assessment work, service development and understand the legal framework and associated NMS in relation to care planning and adoption for children.
We are looking for someone who can develop and maintain respectful, collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders both internal and external to the agency.
You will have had previous experience of working within a social care setting including within adoption services and as such a working knowledge of the Adoption Regulations, NMS and the legislative framework within which Adoption services operate, including permanence planning for children.
Experience of providing supervision to staff and or students would be beneficial. You will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
Our benefits
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
- Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £4,000
- Relocation costs of up to £8,000
- Retention bonus payments for established personnel
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.
Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be. We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.
At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
Practice Manager - Adoption employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
Contact Detail:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Manager - Adoption
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who have experience in adoption services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in adoption practices. Familiarise yourself with the Relational Practice Approach and how it impacts service delivery. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Think about your experiences in supervising social workers and how you've implemented practice developments. We want you to shine when discussing your qualifications!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Manager - Adoption
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Practice Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for working with children, young people, and families. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles or how you plan to contribute to our mission.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key skills and experiences stand out. We appreciate clarity as much as we value creativity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the legal framework and regulations surrounding adoption services. Brush up on the Adoption Regulations and NMS, as well as the latest practices in trauma-informed and systemic approaches. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your commitment to high-quality service delivery.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in adoption assessments and service development. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, especially in a social care setting. This will demonstrate your practical understanding and ability to lead effectively.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use active listening and engage with their questions thoughtfully. Show that you value collaboration and can maintain respectful relationships with stakeholders, which is crucial for a practice manager role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how the agency implements its relational practice approach. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.