At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct adoption assessments and support families through the adoption process.
- Company: Join a high-performing adoption team in Shropshire and Telford.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in adoption and child development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Adoption Social Worker for a fixed term 12‑month contract into Shropshire and Telford's Joint Hub to cover maternity leave. We are a high‑performing adoption team that provides adoption services to two outstanding Local Authorities, Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council, through the wider Permanency Partnership Together4Children with Stoke‑on‑Trent Council and Staffordshire Council in line with the Government's Regionalisation of Adoption agenda.
The role involves undertaking timely, evidence‑based adoption assessments, providing high‑quality support to prospective adopters, undertaking family‑finding activities for prospective adopters and children, supporting families through to the adoption Order, and delivering preparation training to prospective adopters, foster carers and social work colleagues in a range of areas related to adoption and permanence.
You will be required to have a car, be able to travel to various locations across the Together4Children Permanency Partnership region and occasionally across the rest of the country, and work flexibly, including occasional evening and weekend work on a planned basis.
Shropshire Council is a unitary authority that serves the rural county of Shropshire. The people of Shropshire are proudly proud of their county's assets, natural beauty, history and diverse economy.
Responsibilities- Undertake timely, evidence‑based adoption assessments
- Provide high‑quality support to prospective adopters
- Undertake family‑finding activities for prospective adopters and children
- Support families through to the adoption Order
- Deliver preparation training to prospective adopters, foster carers and social work colleagues in areas related to adoption and permanence
- Work flexibly, including occasional evening and weekend work on a planned basis
- Maintain travel across the partnership region and occasionally across the country using a personal vehicle
- Be a qualified social worker, preferably with 3 years post‑qualifying experience
- Have a sound understanding of relevant legislation and policy in respect of adoption, permanency planning, children in care and safeguarding
- Have skills in direct work with children and adults
- Have a thorough understanding of attachment, separation, trauma and child development
- Have the ability to work in partnership with other agencies across the partnership and country
- Generous annual leave commencing at 28 days, increasing with service to 33 days (pro‑rata for part‑time)
- Additional annual leave purchase policy
- Access to a benefits platform with a wide range of retail discounts and salary sacrifice schemes (cars, bikes, AVCs)
- Employer contribution pension scheme – Shropshire County Pension Fund
- Supportive carers and parental policies (maternity, paternity, adoption leave, special leave)
- Many opportunities for flexible and agile working – a hybrid model of working is offered to promote flexibility around personal and family commitments
social worker employer: Shropshire Council
Join a dedicated and high-performing adoption team in Shropshire, where your role as a Social Worker will be both impactful and rewarding. With generous annual leave starting at 28 days, flexible working options, and a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being, you will have the opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. The partnership with outstanding local authorities ensures a collaborative environment, fostering your development and enhancing your skills in a beautiful rural setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land social worker
✨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 Shropshire 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 Shropshire 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 Shropshire 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 Shropshire 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
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 Shropshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Shropshire 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 Shropshire 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.
