At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adoptive families and assess children's needs to create impactful support plans.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking regional adoption agency making a difference in South London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment focused on reducing racial disparities in adoption.
- Why this job: Make a lifelong difference in children's lives through meaningful adoption support.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with over 3 years of experience and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 46600 € per year.
Do you see yourself making a lifelong difference in a child’s life through adoption?
Can you use your experience to help support safe, loving, and stable families for children across South London?
Does the idea of joining a forward-thinking and inclusive regional adoption agency inspire you?
If yes, we have the perfect role for you!
AtAdoption London South, a regional adoption agency, we are looking for a passionate and dedicatedSocial Workerto join us and help make a difference today.
About the Role
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time social worker to work within Adopt London South Adoption Support Team, supporting adoptive families.
The Adoption Support Team supports families by assessing the child’s needs and providing a plan of support. The team also hosts various groups for adopted children, birth parents, and adoptive parents, alongside other training and support sessions.
A priority for ALS and the LAs is to reduce delay for children, particularly of Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds, and especially boys who wait the longest for new families. ALS has strong links with the Black Adoption Project and New Families Social. There may be opportunities to work on pan London and other projects.
This will be a fixed term contract to a full-time post until the end January 2028
About You
We are looking for experienced and committed social workers who are:
- Qualified and have completed their ASYE, with over 3 years experience
- Experienced in planning for permanence and interested in adoption
- Skilled at building positive relationships with diverse families and professionals
- Have embedded relational and trauma-informed practice
- Have good written skills, work well to timescales, and are analytical.
- Committed to anti-racist and inclusive practice, with a focus on reducing race disparity in adoption
- Confident using Mosaic Case Management systems
- Knowledgeable in childcare and adoption legislation and statutory guidance
- Open to personal development and keen to develop group work and training skills
About the Team
Adopt London South (ALS) is a Regionalised Adoption Agency (RAA) hosted by London Borough of Southwark. We provide adoption services to 10 South London Local Authorities within our partnership agreement. ALS also works closely with 3 other RAA’s under the ‘Adopt London’ banner to develop adoption services across 24 London boroughs.
ALS are a lively, busy service involved with preparing adopters, family finding and adoption support. Our current vacancy is in our Adoption Support Team. This part of the service provides a range of specialist adoption support for everyone affected by adoption at any stage in their life.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
- Hold a recognised social work qualification
- Have a current registration with Social Work England
- Hold or undergo a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
- This will be a fixed term contract to a full-time post until the end January 2028
Advert close date: 11:59pm on 5 th November 2025
Interview date/s: 17 th November 2025
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you\'ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £45,852 - £53,319
Social Worker - Adopt London South in City of London employer: Southwark Council
At Adoption London South, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking and inclusive regional adoption agency dedicated to making a lifelong difference in children's lives. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and personal development, offering social workers the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects that support diverse families across South London. With a strong commitment to anti-racist practices and employee growth, we provide a supportive environment where your skills can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Adopt London South in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who are already working in adoption services. They can provide insider info and might even refer you to opportunities that aren't publicly advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by researching the agency's values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around supporting diverse families and reducing race disparity in adoption.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your passion for making a difference in children's lives shine through, so be ready to share personal stories that highlight your skills and commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Adopt London South in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for making a difference in children's lives shine through. We want to see your commitment to adoption and how your experiences align with our mission at Adopt London South.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role. Highlight your relevant experience in social work, especially in adoption and support for diverse families. This will help us see how you fit into our team.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and structure your application well. This shows us that you have good written skills and can communicate effectively, which is crucial for this role.
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, as we may close the vacancy early if we receive enough applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of adoption legislation and statutory guidance. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by adoptive families, especially those from diverse backgrounds, as this will show your commitment to anti-racist and inclusive practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in social work, particularly in planning for permanence and working with diverse families. Use specific examples that highlight your relational and trauma-informed practice skills, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your analytical skills and ability to build positive relationships. Think about how you would approach various situations involving adoptive families and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions prepared about the Adoption Support Team and their initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission.
