JOB DESCRIPTION

Special conditions this post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Full and valid driving licence, GCSE (or equivalent) 5 A-C including English and Mathematics
Essential Requirements: Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Able to communicate effectively with people at all levels including written and verbal skills
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Able to work under minimal supervision, to make decisions and act on own initiative
• Able and be prepared to seek advice where necessary
• Reliable, flexible, dependable and able to work under pressure
• Able to prepare clear, accurate and concise reports, letters and memos
• Able and willing to work flexibly including weekend, early morning and evening work as necessary and undertake tasks such as attending initial visits, recruitment, support groups and PR events, meetings and training.
• Able to evidence an understanding and practical application of the use of IT and electronic communications, including the use of Microsoft Office.
• Aware of childcare legislation including The Adoption Services National Minimum Standards.
• Aware of current developments affecting the provision of children services from a legal, political and social policy context
• Knowledge of child protection issues.
• Understand the work of other key agencies and links to social work practice
• Significant general experience within a customer focused service.
• Experience of working in/with social services, youth services, welfare or care environment
• Demonstrate customer relationship experience
• Experience of working within a range of diverse communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As our next Adoption Advisor, you will play a crucial role in supporting the recruitment of adopters, ensuring compliance with safeguarding procedures, and maintaining and updating systems, records, and databases. You will also assist in the preparation and delivery of events and support programmes for those impacted by adoption. The role includes supporting children to maintain connections with birth family and supporting family finding for children. The role is integral to our One Adoption West Yorkshire team, where you will contribute to and learn from the best practices in adopter recruitment, family finding for children, and delivering adoption support services.

THIS ROLE IS BASED IN THE UK. HOME OFFICE GUIDANCE STATES THAT CANDIDATES MUST EVIDENCE THEIR RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK PRIOR TO COMMENCING EMPLOYMENT, EITHER AS A UK OR IRISH CITIZEN, UNDER THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME OR HAVING SECURED ANY OTHER RELEVANT WORK VISA.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

JOB PURPOSE:

To be responsible for supporting the recruitment of adopters from initial enquiry to application. Adoption advisors also have a role in supporting the finding of families for children and the provision of adoption support. There will be a need to write reports, maintain and update systems, records and databases and deliver excellent customer service at all times.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide a timely, positive and professional response to initial enquiries received from prospective adopters taking initial information, booking home visits and updating systems and databases.
• Take a positive customer focussed response to initial enquiries and ensure every effort is made to make contact with prospective adopters within the time limit stipulated.
• Arrange and conduct, initial home visits to prospective adopters within agreed timescales.
• Ensure that initial home visit reports are written up and completed within 48 hours and of a high standard.
• Prepare reports, maintain and update systems, records and databases and deliver excellent customer service at all times.
• Ensure all documentation including consents to statutory checks are completed without delay.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding procedures and make clear that the safeguarding of children and the promotion of their welfare is given absolute priority in all recruitment, family finding and support activities.
• Contribute to and learn from the best practice in adopter recruitment, family finding for children and delivering adoption support services.
• Support the marketing and local area teams with community based recruitment activity and support adoption events where necessary.
• Keep performance records and written details/records of all contacts and contact activity, including all visits and to update records and database systems.
• Responsible for the interface with administrative and IT systems and to ensure that existing systems are maintained, developed and responsive to the smooth and efficient running of the Adoption Service.
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of training and support programmes for those impacted by adoption.
  The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

As an Adoption Advisor, you will bring to the role:

• Experience of working with children and families
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels, including written and verbal skills
• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
• Skills that will assist in the preparation and delivery of events, training and support programmes
• Ability to work under pressure and be reliable, flexible, and dependable