Team Manager - Adoption

Job Title:Team Manager - Adoption
Salary:£53,460 – £61,638per annum
Grade:G
Contract Type:Permanent
Working Hours:37 hours per week

About the Department

Thurrock’s Children’s Services are committed to ensuring that every child grows up safe, supported and able to thrive. Our Outstanding Adoption Team plays a vital role in achieving permanence for children through high‑quality adoption practice. We work closely with colleagues across social care and with our regional partners in Adopt East to deliver timely, child‑centred adoption pathways. The Adoption Team Manager will play a key role in leading the service, driving standards and contributing to continued improvement across the wider directorate.

As an Adoption Team Manager
, you will be responsible for:

• Providing strong, visible leadership to the Adoption Team, ensuring high‑quality, timely and legally compliant adoption practice.
• Managing, supervising and developing adoption social workers and practitioners through reflective supervision and effective performance oversight.
• Ensuring high‑quality assessment, approval and support of adopters in line with statutory timescales.
• Overseeing permanence planning, family finding, matching and placement for children, ensuring timely progression of adoption plans.
• Quality‑assuring all adoption documentation including PARs, CPRs and adoption support assessments.
• Working collaboratively with children’s social care teams to promote early permanence, timely decision‑making and robust care planning.
• Ensuring adopters and children receive proportionate and timely adoption support, including therapeutic interventions where appropriate.
• Maintaining accurate, compliant case records and ensuring adherence to legislation, guidance and local procedures.
• Working closely with Adopt East and other partners to support high standards of adoption practice and regional collaboration.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference byleading a committed team to secure the best possible outcomes for children for whom adoption is the plan.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• A recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Strong leadership, line management and decision‑making skills and experience in Adoption
• In‑depth knowledge of adoption legislation, regulations and statutory guidance.
• Excellent analytical, communication and report‑writing skills.
• Significant post‑qualifying experience in children and families social work, including direct experience in adoption/permanence.
• Experience supervising and supporting social work staff.
• The ability to work collaboratively, prioritise effectively and model high‑quality practice.

Essential qualifications: Social Work Degree / Diploma in Social Work / CQSW (or equivalent) and be registered with Social Work England (SWE)
DBS Check: Enhanced with Children's barred list check

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employeeassistanceprogramme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Closing Date (Redeployment Only):26th February 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External):8th March 2026

Interview Date: 16th - 17th March 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact

Elise McQueen - Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management isrequiredfor all Safeguarding roles.Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under
Miscellaneous Documents
as part of your application.

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to…