Job Description

This is not a Wiltshire Council vacancy therefore please contact Adoption West for further information.
Salary:38,626 - 40,476(plus an additional 8% market supplement until 1st April 2026)
Hours: 37 hours
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 6th August 2025
Planned Interview Date:14th August 2025
Location: Across the Adoption West Area.
Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency and registered Voluntary Adoption Agency, owned and commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Councils. Adoption West provides a range of adoption services including: -

• The recruitment and assessment of prospective adopters.
• Family finding services for children requiring permanency via adoption.
• Post adoption support services.
• Services to birth family and adopted adults.

This is an exciting time to join Adoption West as we build on the solid foundations already in place and our Good rating from Ofsted.
This role is in our Recruitment & Assessment Team.
These posts require you to work flexibly and juggle a busy caseload. You need to be able to travel around the region and must be able to drive and have access to your own vehicle.
You will report to the Deputy Team Manager and contribute to the delivery and development of effective adoption services, in accordance with Adoption Standards and Regulations.
Main duties of the job
Main duties

• Recruiting, preparing and assessing prospective adopters.
• Linking and matching approved adopters with children.
• Supporting prospective adopters following the placement of children & up until the point an Adoption Order is granted.
• Preparing reports for adoption panel and court.
• Assessing Early Permanence carers/providing fostering supervision and support to these carers.
• Providing duty support across the region.
• Assessing non-agency adopters (previously step-parent approvals).
• In this role there will be a focus on supporting prospective adopters at the early stage of their adoption journey. This includes supporting on duty with initial enquiries about adoption, information sessions and also completing stage one assessments.

About us
You will need:

• A Social Work Qualification (degree or equivalent) and current registration with Social Work England (this is an essential requirement).
• A minimum of two years experience within a childcare team/to include safeguarding alongside an in-depth knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004.
• An understanding of early life experiences such as trauma or abuse and the impact they can have on children and young people throughout their lives.
• The ability to analyse complex information to make recommendations and informed decisions.
• The ability to complete comprehensive assessments in a timely manner.
• The ability to work both as part of a team, sharing knowledge and managing cases.
• The ability to use your own initiative and work independently.
• Experience of managing your own caseload and working to deadlines.
• To be competent in the use of IT and case management systems.

Adoption West:

• is an organisation with a wealth of experience and has a learning culture committed to enabling the post holder to grow and develop in their role.
• provides support through supervision and training.
• offers flexible working arrangements, including job shares.
• provides a Local Government Pension Scheme and access to the Child Care vouchers scheme.

Details
Date posted
15 July 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
38,626 to 40,476 a year plus an additional 8% market supplement until 1st April 2026
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
F0041-5310
Job locations
County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
B Bond, PO Box 3399
Bristol City Council
Bristol
BS1 9NE
Gloucestershire County Council
Westgate Street
Gloucester
GL1 2TP
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
The assessment of adopters and the matching and placements of children for adoption:
Undertaking assessments of prospective adopters and presenting assessments to the Adoption Panel
Provide support to prospective adopters during and after approval, including through the LAC reviewing process.
Contributing to the development and training of adopters.
Assessment of adoption support needs giving due consideration to the wishes and opinions of the child and the adoptive family, the nature of the problem that has called for adoption support:
To draw up support plan and implement, with the child and adoptive family, an appropriate action plan to come to terms with or ameliorate the identified problems.
To convene and chair case specific and other liaison/multiagency meetings as appropriate.
All children in need procedures are completed in a timely manner.
Applications sourced and made to the Adoption Support Fund
Providing an efficient home finding service that meets the needs of children needing adoptive placements within prescribed timescales:
To provide consultation to Social workers who are placing children for adoption
To work jointly with social workers to assess appropriate matches for children needing adoptive placements.
To support and promote the development of a dedicated adoption team identity and shared objectives within a changing and developing environment which include:
To contribute to the timeliness of the Prospective Adopter Reports (PARs), Adoption Support Assessments and Non Agency Adoptions
The team continues to provide and develop the adoption support core offer as outlined in the adoption passport
Looked after children and adoption regulations requirements are completed within timescales.
Provision of birth records counselling and supporting adopted adults to access birth records.
Participate in the teams duty rota
Model and provide good equalities practice. Value diversity within the team and in contact with other professionals, children, young people and families Job description
Job responsibilities
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
The assessment of adopters and the matching and placements of children for adoption:
Undertaking assessments of prospective adopters and presenting assessments to the Adoption Panel
Provide support to prospective adopters during and after approval, including through the LAC reviewing process.
Contributing to the development and training of adopters.
Assessment of adoption support needs giving due consideration to the wishes and opinions of the child and the adoptive family, the nature of the problem that has called for adoption support:
To draw up support plan and implement, with the child and adoptive family, an appropriate action plan to come to terms with or ameliorate the identified problems.
To convene and chair case specific and other liaison/multiagency meetings as appropriate.
All children in need procedures are completed in a timely manner.
Applications sourced and made to the Adoption Support Fund
Providing an efficient home finding service that meets the needs of children needing adoptive placements within prescribed timescales:
To provide consultation to Social workers who are placing children for adoption
To work jointly with social workers to assess appropriate matches for children needing adoptive placements.
To support and promote the development of a dedicated adoption team identity and shared objectives within a changing and developing environment which include:
To contribute to the timeliness of the Prospective Adopter Reports (PARs), Adoption Support Assessments and Non Agency Adoptions
The team continues to provide and develop the adoption support core offer as outlined in the adoption passport
Looked after children and adoption regulations requirements are completed within timescales.
Provision of birth records counselling and supporting adopted adults to access birth records.
Participate in the teams duty rota
Model and provide good equalities practice. Value diversity within the team and in contact with other professionals, children, young people and families
Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Professional Social Work qualification.
• Social Work England registered.
• Have up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the protection of, children and young people.
• Thorough understanding of the needs of children in care.
• Knowledge of Adoption Regulations (England) 2011, Adoption National Minimum Standards and associated guidance.
• Up to date knowledge of key child care legislation, policies and practices central to the implementation of a professional social work service on behalf of the council.
• Knowledge of Every Child Matters, the five outcomes and shared processes.
• Knowledge and ability to put into practice a range of theories, models and interventions and to assess impact for the service user.
• Knowledge of assessment processes including the contribution provided by other agencies, timescales and their impact on council and Government performance targets and indicators.
• Post qualifying experience of direct work with children, young people and families.
• Experience of working with children in care, their families and foster carers.
• Experience of completing assessments, reports and plans for children identified as vulnerable and in need.
• For further details please refer to the role description

Desirable

• A post qualifying award in Social Work.
• A Practice Teachers Award.
• Training qualification.
• Experience of delivering training.
• Experience of assessment of Adopters or providing adoption support services.
• Experience of supervision.
• Experience of staff/students supervision or consultation.
• Supervision skills.
• Experience of delivering training.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Professional Social Work qualification.
• Social Work England registered.
• Have up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the protection of, children and young people.
• Thorough understanding of the needs of children in care.
• Knowledge of Adoption Regulations (England) 2011, Adoption National Minimum Standards and associated guidance.
• Up to date knowledge of key child care legislation, policies and practices central to the implementation of a professional social work service on behalf of the council.
• Knowledge of Every Child Matters, the five outcomes and shared processes.
• Knowledge and ability to put into practice a range of theories, models and interventions and to assess impact for the service user.
• Knowledge of assessment processes including the contribution provided by other agencies, timescales and their impact on council and Government performance targets and indicators.
• Post qualifying experience of direct work with children, young people and families.
• Experience of working with children in care, their families and foster carers.
• Experience of completing assessments, reports and plans for children identified as vulnerable and in need.
• For further details please refer to the role description

Desirable

• A post qualifying award in Social Work.
• A Practice Teachers Award.
• Training qualification.
• Experience of delivering training.
• Experience of assessment of Adopters or providing adoption support services.
• Experience of supervision.
• Experience of staff/students supervision or consultation.
• Supervision skills.
• Experience of delivering training.