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- Tasks: Provide emotional and practical support to birth parents navigating the adoption process.
- Company: Join Adopt Thames Valley, a collaborative Regional Adoption Agency.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, competitive pension, and local discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families affected by adoption.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with at least three years of relevant experience.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to equality and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency. ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council. The Regional Adoption Agency is hosted by Oxfordshire County Council and so your contract and work conditions will sit within Oxfordshire County Council.
The Permanence Support Team is a specialist team providing post-order support to adopters, special guardians, and their children, adults affected by adoption, and to birth families. The post is to support birth parents who have experienced loss through adoption. The role will be to provide emotional and practical support to navigate the adoption process for birth parents. This will include the organisation of meetings with adoptive parents, risk assessments, support with contact, running support groups and general support as specific pieces of work arise.
Are you a passionate, qualified Social Worker with experience of adoption? Are you interested in different ways of working in this field? We are ideally seeking a Social Worker with at least three years post qualifying experience in adoption and with relevant work settings, such as within Children's Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills. This role is to support birth parents and families who have experienced loss and trauma. We require a supportive and compassionate candidate who can demonstrate an understanding of the long-term impact of trauma. The applicant will need to demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the needs of adoptive families, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.
Rewards and benefits:
- Vivup benefits platform
- Vivup highfive recognition platform
- Cyclescheme (for eco-conscious commuters)
- Electric vehicle lease scheme
- Discounts at local retailers
- Salary finance options
- Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
- A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution rate
Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from the Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part-time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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Senior Practitioner - Birth Relative Support in Oxford employer: Oxfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Oxfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Birth Relative Support in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the adoption and social work sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Adopt Thames Valley and understand their values and mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in supporting birth parents. We want to see your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring along examples of your past work, especially any relevant case studies or experiences that highlight your ability to support families through trauma. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Oxfordshire County Council. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Birth Relative Support in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting birth families shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in adoption and how you can make a difference in this field.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in adoption and social work. We’re looking for someone with at least three years of post-qualifying experience, so be specific about your roles and achievements that align with this.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your skills and experiences, especially your assessment and report writing abilities, as these are crucial for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of adoption processes and the specific needs of birth parents. Familiarise yourself with the role of the Permanence Support Team and how it fits into the wider context of Adopt Thames Valley. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Show Your Compassion
This role requires a supportive and compassionate approach. Be ready to share examples from your experience where you've provided emotional support or navigated sensitive situations. Highlight your understanding of trauma and its long-term impacts on families.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how they measure success in supporting birth parents. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your assessment, analytical, and report writing skills. Bring along examples of your work or experiences that showcase these abilities, especially in relation to adoption and family placement settings.
