Senior Social Worker - Adoption

This role has a starting salary of £44,614 per annum, based on an 36 hour working week (This would be pro-rata for part-time hours).

We are currently wishing to appoint a Senior Social Worker to join our fantastic adoption team based at our Woking office. This role is offered as either full or part-time, so please let us know your preference!

Adoption Southeast (ASE) is a regional adoption agency delivering adoption services on behalf of 4 local authorities (Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove) under a partnership agreement.

This is an opportunity to join a supportive and committed team of adoption professionals, with the added benefit of development opportunities within the team locally, but also more widely within our regional structure.

ASE currently operates a 'hub and spoke' model, meaning that in addition to a central hub in Lewes, East Sussex, we maintain offices in each local authority. Staff are all employed on local terms and conditions, and in this instance, the successful applicants would be employed by Surrey County Council with a base at Quadrant Court in Woking.

You would regularly travel to visit adopting families across our region, and occasionally beyond this, as required. Administrative work associated with the role could be completed using hybrid working arrangements, from offices or home as preferred, but with an expectation that you attend the office on an occasional basis for team meetings or as determined by the team manager.

In this role, you will hold a varied caseload, including assessment of prospective adopters from stage 2 to adoption order. The team also undertakes family finding and provides adoption support following placement and the making of adoption orders.

Senior social workers in the service may hold additional responsibilities such as an area of service development or undertake practice supervision of less experienced colleagues.

To be shortlisted for interview your CV and personal statement will clearly evidence:

• That you are a qualified social worker with a minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience
• Registration with Social Work England.
• A sound knowledge of social work practice and legislation.
• A strong commitment to securing permanency for children through adoption.
• Use of research and evidence-based practice
• Commitment to inclusive practice
• Ability to work autonomously
• Hold a full UK driving licence

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14 December 2023

Interviews will take place on 21 Dec 2023 in person at our Woking offices.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.