Adoption Panel Agency Advisor; Adoption South East

Closing Dates

Closing date: 15.03.2026
Interview date: 25.03.2026

Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully.

They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to provide your education and career history and answer some application/shortlisting questions. Your answers to the application/shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview.

Before you start your application, please read our Shortlisting questions guidance ( ) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

For an informal discussion, please contact Mich (Head of Service ASE) or pascale. (Current Post Holder).

Adoption South East (ASE) has an exciting opportunity to lead its Panel Service and play a critical role in developing and supporting improved practice.

You will play a central role in ensuring that the ASE Adoption Panel operates effectively and efficiently, giving written and verbal advice to the Adoption Service, the Adoption Panel and to the Agency Decision Makers across the ASE Partnership.

ASE Panels are held online using MS Teams on Local Authority networks and this post can largely be undertaken remotely, with infrequent travel to the ASE area for face‑to‑face annual or half‑annual Panel and agency training. You may work from anywhere in the UK but will be responsible for your own travel costs for Panel in person training. Flexible working is available, but the post‑holder needs to be available on Panel days – currently a Tuesday or Wednesday.

ASE operates as a partnership between East and West Sussex, Surrey and Brighton and Hove Local Authorities. In addition to your responsibilities as the Agency Advisor, you will also be the link manager to Brighton and Hove Unitary Council, taking responsibility for ensuring HR processes for our Brighton and Hove employed staff are current and compliant.

As the Agency Advisor you will:

• Manage the ASE Adoption Panel Team which comprises the Business Support Lead who manages the Panel Administration Team and two part‑time Panel Advisors.
• Lead on the recruitment, retention, training, support and appraisal of the members of the Panel Central List.
• Maintain and develop practice and process in relation to the work of the Agency Decision Makers and Adoption Panels, ensuring safe management of records and information.
• Work in partnership with the three Independent Panel Chairs and Panel Advisors to deliver a fluid and effective Quality Assurance process which recognises helpful practice and provides constructive feedback to the professionals within the system.
• Manage the ASE Adoption Panel Team and processes to ensure sufficiency and efficiency, prioritising timeliness for Adoption Matches and Adoption Suitability Applications.

Ensure that panel submissions demonstrate:

• Compliance with the relevant regulatory frameworks and local policies and practice requirements.
• Family centred thinking and inclusive practice which is strengths based and engages meaningfully with assessed risks and support needs.
• Trauma aware thinking and practice.

Ensure in partnership with the independent Chairs of the Adoption Panel that Panel processes deliver:

• Sound and compliant recommendations to the Agency Decision Makers.
• Respectful and robust panel meetings which hold the agency to the highest professional standards.
• Respectful and kind feedback to professionals and service users alike.

Maintain an overview of the quality of the agency's reports to the Panel, identifying learning and contributing to service‑wide and team‑specific continuous professional development.

Coordinate the ASE disruptions process in partnership with the relevant teams in the Local Authority Children's Teams further to adoption…