Job Introduction
We are committed to delivering quality assessments, support and interventions to prospective adopters, adopters, children and their families.
This is an exciting opportunity for a child focused, dynamic, enthusiastic social worker to join the Staffordshire Adoption Assessment and Support Locality Team, part of the Together4Children Permanency Partnership as we respond creatively to developments in the field of adoption and permanence.
You would be joining an experienced, stable staff team which values teamwork and positive communication skills.
Main Responsibility
We are seeking to appoint an experienced social worker, skilled in undertaking complex, timely, evidence-based adoption assessments and the provision of high-quality support to prospective adopters and is determined and persistent in their family finding activities for prospective adopters and children. There is also an expectation that the social worker appointed will provide support and advice on adoption matters, as required, and be involved in the preparation and delivery of training to prospective adopters, foster carers, and colleagues in a range of areas related to adoption and permanence. The role will involve leading on researching and developing evidence practice and sharing this with colleagues.
Whilst there is the opportunity for some home-based working, the Adoption Assessment and Support Team provides a county wide service, and you will be required to travel to various locations across the Together4Children Permanency Partnership Region, as well as travel across the country as necessary. There is a requirement to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends on a planned basis.
The Ideal Candidate
You will:
- Be a qualified and experienced social worker with experience of assessing prospective adopters.
- Have experience of supervising, coaching and mentoring less experienced workers.
- Have a sound understanding of relevant legislation, regulations 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 experience of policy and practice development.
- Have the ability to work in partnership with other agencies across the country.
PLEASE NOTE:
You must have a social work qualification, including registration with Social Work England.
This Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects 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, we offer a guaranteed interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
This position is subject to criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
Interview Date: 25th and 26th April 2023
For more information about the role of Adoption Assessment and Support Senior Social Worker please contact: Sandra Andersen- Team Manager- Adoption Assessment and Support, on 07807180290, Sandra.Andersen@staffordshire.gov.uk
In the absence of Sandra Andersen please contact Head of Service- Adoption and Kinship, Nicola Hope, on 07792396199, Nicola.Hope@staffordshire.gov.uk
Please be aware, only application forms completed online will be accepted. We will not accept CV’s or Word application forms.
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 a range of benefits.
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.
