Job Description

Your New Organisation:

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.



Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role:

Southend City Council are looking to appoint a part time, permanent Adoption Support Co-ordinator as part of the Letterbox Scheme.



The main purpose of this role is to assist adopted children exchange information with their birth family, so that they can maintain some form of contact. This will help the children have a sense of their identity, whilst still feeling accepted and part of their new adopted family.



The post holder will be required to meet with birth relatives and adopters face to face or virtually, to help improve participation and quality of the Letterbox scheme, as well as support with the initial assessment of suitability for Keeping in Touch (Direct Contact).



They will ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day functions of the Letterbox scheme, making sure service users receive appropriate confidential information in a professional and timely manner.



There will also be a need to participate in the training of prospective adopters to bring awareness around the benefits of the Letterbox exchange with children and the benefits this brings to the placement, as well as assisting with the running of support groups for birth families, adoption activity days and the adoption children's events.

What you'll need to succeed:

To be successful in this position, you must have knowledge and experience of adoption services. Be able to make reference to Adoption Support Regulations and have awareness of current legislation, such as the Children Act, Every Child Matters and Public Law.



You will need to have empathetic interpersonal skills that will enable you to engage service users, including some vulnerable adults (birth relatives) to produce appropriate exchanges for the child.

What you'll get in return:

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.



Please note that salaries and holiday entitlement will be pro rata'd in line with the advertised hours for this position.

What you need to do now:

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.



If you would like a copy the , please click here



If you are wanting further information that isn't in the JD, please contact Nathalie Nathalie.s@hays.com

Please note:

Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.



All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.



The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.