At a Glance
- Tasks: Help find loving homes for children and support adopters in their journey.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at PACT, committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture with a focus on safeguarding and child welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in placements or social work, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 24946 - 30489 £ per year.
Would you like to be part of a collaborative team making a lasting difference to children and families? We are looking for a part-time Senior Placements Officer to join our dedicated Adoption team. We believe that every child deserves a loving and supportive home and we are committed to providing the highest quality services to help make that a reality, and we are proud of our three successive outstanding ratings with Ofsted.
Position: Senior Placements Officer
Location: Reading, with hybrid working arrangements and a minimum of one day a week in our Reading office and one day per month in our London office
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part time 30 hours a week over 5 days Monday to Friday
Salary: Pro-rata salary range of £24,946 to £30,489 per annum (Full time equivalent salary range £30,768 - £37,604 per annum).
About the role: As Senior Placements Officer, you'll provide the 'family finding' service to find suitable children for approved adopters, and will manage the Placement Officer(s) including supporting the induction and training of new team members, and the ongoing development of existing team members.
Your Senior Placements Officer responsibilities will include:
- Work directly with potential adopters to enable them to find a suitable match, for example by supporting them at profile events.
- Work with social workers and approved adopters in creating and following up links with external agencies.
- Promote PACT's adoption service by raising local awareness through networking opportunities, including working closely with partner agencies and local authorities.
- Act as a guide and mentor to direct reports with escalated queries.
If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Jennings, Enquiries and Placements Manager on hannah.jennings@pactcharity.org.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 23 October 2026. Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Placements Officer, Enquiries Officer, Senior Enquiries Officer, Adoption Social Worker, Social Worker, Senior Social Worker, Family Finder.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards. Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT's safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role. All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.
Read more in Reading employer: Parents And Children Together (PACT)
At PACT, we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our outstanding Ofsted ratings, and we provide ample opportunities for professional growth and development within our Adoption team. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a focus on safeguarding, joining us as a Senior Placements Officer in Reading means being part of a passionate team that truly values its members and the vital work they do.
Contact Details:
Parents And Children Together (PACT) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Read more in Reading
✨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 Parents And Children Together (PACT).
✨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 Parents And Children Together (PACT)!
✨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 Parents And Children Together (PACT), 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 Parents And Children Together (PACT) 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 Read more in Reading
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 Parents And Children Together (PACT):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Parents And Children Together (PACT)! 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 Parents And Children Together (PACT)
✨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.
