At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support social workers in adoption assessments and family finding.
- Company: Join a high-performing adoption service with a supportive management team.
- Benefits: Earn up to £42 per hour and enjoy a flexible working environment.
- Other info: Be part of a team committed to innovative, trauma-informed approaches.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through impactful adoption practices.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and significant experience in Adoption Services required.
The predicted salary is between 18 - 18 £ per hour.
Northamptonshire Children's Trust is seeking an experienced Adoption Practice Manager to join its highly regarded Adopter Recruitment, Assessment and Family Finding Team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a service that continues to build on its recent success following a GOOD with Outstanding Features Ofsted judgement and play a key role in driving high-quality adoption practice and permanency planning.
As Adoption Practice Manager, you will work closely with the Team Manager to provide leadership, support and oversight across adopter recruitment, assessment, family finding and permanence planning services. You will be responsible for supervising and supporting social workers undertaking adoption assessments and family finding activities, ensuring that children achieve permanence without unnecessary delay and that prospective adopters receive a high-quality service throughout their adoption journey. The successful candidate will also contribute to service development, quality assurance and practice improvements, helping to embed innovative approaches aligned with national adoption reforms and best practice.
Key Responsibilities- Provide supervision, guidance and support to social workers undertaking adopter assessments and family finding work.
- Oversee the recruitment, preparation, training and assessment of prospective adopters.
- Support the matching and placement process for children with adoption plans.
- Work collaboratively with Children's Services colleagues to promote effective permanence planning.
- Monitor and improve service performance through auditing, quality assurance and KPI oversight.
- Ensure practice remains compliant with Adoption Regulations, National Minimum Standards and statutory guidance.
- Support the implementation of service developments and practice improvements.
- Promote evidence-based interventions and relationship-based practice across the service.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- Significant experience within Adoption Services.
- Strong knowledge of adopter assessment processes, family finding and permanence planning.
- Thorough understanding of Adoption Regulations, National Minimum Standards and relevant legislation.
- Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting social workers within a statutory setting.
- A proven ability to maintain high practice standards and drive service improvement.
- Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.
- Competitive rate of £42 per hour.
- Opportunity to join a high-performing adoption service.
- Work within a supportive and experienced management team.
- Contribute to achieving positive permanence outcomes for children and young people.
- Be part of a service committed to relational practice, trauma-informed approaches, systemic practice and Signs of Safety principles.
If you are passionate about improving outcomes for children and families and have the leadership experience to support and develop adoption practice, we'd love to hear from you.
Adoption Practice Leader: Drive Permanence & Impact in Northampton employer: Opus People Solutions
Opus People Solutions is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a supportive work culture in Barrow-in-Furness, employees enjoy flexible hours, opportunities for overtime, and a commitment to maintaining high hygiene standards in a collaborative kitchen environment. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adoption Practice Leader: Drive Permanence & Impact in Northampton
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Opus People Solutions, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Adoption Practice Leader: Drive Permanence & Impact in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Opus People Solutions. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Opus People Solutions. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Opus People Solutions.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Adoption Practice Leader: Drive Permanence & Impact role at Opus People Solutions, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Opus People Solutions that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
