Job Introduction
At Staffordshire County Council we are committed to delivering high quality permanency support assessments and interventions for adopted children and their families across the county. The team is also responsible for responding to requests for information from adopted adults (Birth Records Counselling/Access to Adoption Records).
This is an exciting opportunity for a child focused, dynamic and enthusiastic experienced social worker to join the Staffordshire Permanency Support Locality Team, part of the Together4Children Permanency Partnership on a permanent basis. We are looking for a social worker with a thorough understanding of attachment, separation, and trauma and child development to fill the post of adoption support social worker. You would be joining an experienced, stable staff team which values teamwork and positive communication skills.
Main Responsibility
Based in the Permanency Support Team you will complete timely, evidence based, adoption support assessments, providing quality therapeutic support, liaise with other professionals, signpost, and refer adopted children and their parents where necessary to targeted/other services. Ideally you will have a qualification or experience in delivering therapeutic intervention but not essential. There is the opportunity to be involved in the preparation and delivery of training to adopters and colleagues in a range of areas related to adoption and permanence.
The successful applicant will be required to be child focused, have a sound understanding of relevant legislation and policy in respect of children’s welfare and safeguarding, with skills in direct work with adults and children and the ability to work in partnership with other agencies across the country. Ideally the applicant will have experience of child protection and/or worked with children who can no longer live in their birth family.
Whilst there is the opportunity for some home-based working, the Permanency Support Team provides a county wide service, and you will be required to travel to various locations across the Together4Children Permanency Partnership Region. There is a requirement to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends on a planned basis.
The Ideal Candidate
You must have a social work qualification, including registration with Social Work England.
An ability to demonstrate an understanding of the range of needs of adoptive children and their families is essential
A qualified social worker with experience of Safeguarding, working with children who can no longer live with their birth parent/family.
Experience of supporting adopted adults accessing their social care records.
Experience of supporting birth parents/relatives.
An understanding of relevant legislation and policy in respect of adoption, adoption support, Birth Records Counselling and Access to Adoption Records
Have skills in therapeutic direct work with children and adults
Have a thorough understanding of attachment, separation, trauma, and child development.
The ability to work in partnership with other agencies across the country.
With a strong desire to expand your learning, this position offers a fantastic opportunity to learn, develop and progress.
For further information about this role please contact Lisa Burke: lisa.burke@staffordshire.gov.uk
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
