Social Worker - Adoption

at  Blackburn with Darwen Council

Job description

SOCIAL WORKER - ADOPTION (RECUITMENT & ASSESSMENT): BASED IN THE BOLTON HUB

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker to join our Adoption Service, which is delivered by the Regional Adoption Agency, Adoption Now.
Adoption Now combines local authority adoption teams from Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside with VAA’s Caritas Care & Adoption Matters to deliver outstanding adoption Services across the region. We have three workstreams; Recruitment and Assessment of Adopters, Family Finding, and Adoption Support. This vacancy is for a full time Social Worker in our Recruitment of Adopters Workstream.
You will join a committed, creative and enthusiastic team, comprising of experienced Social Workers from all six local authorities. The longstanding management team is supportive and encouraging. You will be given lots of opportunity for your personal, professional development, teamworking and service initiatives. The role specified has responsibility for the recruitment, assessment, training and support of prospective adopters. Though employed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, you will be seconded to the RAA and your work with families will take you across the Adoption Now region. It will include flexible working from home and office visits to the Adoption Now Hub in Bolton for supervision and meetings.
We are looking for a candidate with a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for looked after children; be registered with Social Work England and preferably have post-qualifying experience in a statutory childcare setting, ideally including work in an adoption service. Specific experience in adopter recruitment is desireable but all applicants must have particular strengths in report writing, social work analysis, and confidence as a trainer. The role involves assessment work with prospective families in Stage 1 and 2 of the adoption process, the preparation of extensive reports for Panels and Courts, delivery of preparation groups to prospective adopters and training to colleagues and other professionals as required. You will have knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and national minimum standards including the Children Act 1989 and the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
The role requires the ability to manage and prioritise the demands of a busy caseload and complete work to target timescales. Work must be reliably recorded on the appropriate systems. Evening and occasional weekend work is required, as is distanced car travel.
You will be valued for the skills and experience that you bring to the service and you will be encouraged to build on them, with a keen eye on your CPD. We are committed to continually improving our service to the most vulnerable children and you will be encouraged to take part in a range of training and workshop activity that will contribute both to our service delivery as a whole and to your own knowledge and skill base.
Blackburn with Darwen Council also offers excellent benefits including up to 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a comprehensive welfare service plus an employee benefits scheme which includes shopping discounts and a car lease/purchase scheme. In addition, financial benefits include subsidised parking and payment of registration with Social Work England.
This advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.
You can also find out more information by visiting Join Our Team! | AdoptionNow