Adoption Support Social Worker Job Trowbridge England UK,Social Work

Job summary

Salary: Grade K £39,862 - £41,771 per annum, plus 8% market supplement (subject to review)

Hours: Part time / 18.5 hours per week

Contract: Up to 12 months

Closing date: 3rd September 2026 at 5pm

Interview date: 17th September 2026

Location: Flexible. An office base in one of the offices within the Adoption West region (Bristol, Gloucester or Trowbridge) and working from home

Main duties of the job

Providing advice and support to adoptive families
Assessing the support needs of adoptive families
Working with children and families with complex needs
Providing therapeutic support to families either directly or via ASF applications

About us

Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency and registered Voluntary Adoption Agency commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Councils. Adoption West provides a range of adoption services including:

The recruitment and assessment of prospective adopters
Family finding services for children requiring permanency via adoption
Post adoption support services
Services to birth family and adopted adults

This is an exciting time to join Adoption West as we build on the solid foundations already in place and our Good rating from Ofsted. As part of an internal restructure, our functions going forward will be service led across the region, rather than office/hub based.

Adoption West

is an organisation with a wealth of experience and has a learning culture committed to enabling the post holder to grow and develop in their role.
provides support through supervision and training.
offers flexible working arrangements, including job shares
provides a Local Government Pension Scheme and access to the Child Care vouchers scheme.

Job responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Assessment of adopters and the matching and placements of children for adoption

Undertaking assessments of prospective adopters and presenting assessments to the Adoption Panel
Provide support to prospective adopters during and after approval, including through the LAC reviewing process.
Contributing to the development and training of adopters.

Assessment of adoption support needs giving due consideration to the wishes and opinions of the child and the adoptive family, the nature of the problem that has called for adoption support

To draw up support plan and implement, with the child and adoptive family, an appropriate action plan to come to terms with or ameliorate the identified problems.
To convene and chair case specific and other liaison/multiagency meetings as appropriate.
All children in need procedures are completed in a timely manner.
Applications sourced and made to the Adoption Support Fund

Providing an efficient homefinding service that meets the needs of children needing adoptive placements within prescribed timescales

To provide consultation to Social workers who are placing children for adoption
To work jointly with social workers to assess appropriate matches for children needing adoptive placements.

To support and promote the development of a dedicated adoption team identity and shared objectives within a changing and developing environment which include

To contribute to the timeliness of the Prospective Adopter Reports (PARs), Adoption Support Assessments and Non Agency Adoptions
The team continues to provide and develop the adoption support core offer as outlined in the adoption passport
Looked after children and adoption regulations requirements are completed within timescales.
Provision of birth records counseling and supporting adopted adults to access birth records.
Participate in the teams duty rota
Model and provide good equalities practice. Value diversity within the team and in contact with other professionals, children, young people and families.
Operate within the County policy and regularly updates him/herself with social work methods, new legislation and procedures, including Childrens Act 2004 and Every Child Matters.
To secure the effective involvement of parents/carers, children and young people in the development and evaluation of services.
Through liaison with other professionals build positive working relationships to ensure effective joint working practices.
Acquire and maintain local knowledge including links with and information of statutory and voluntary groups in order to maximise co-ordination and joint working to improve outcomes for children.
To fully engage and prepare for own supervision and appraisal through self-evaluation, ensuring that continual professional development is evidenced.
To assist the Manager and ATM in the robust management of resources within the team by ensuring quality and value for money in service delivery.

Specific requirements for this post

Able to travel throughout the Adoption West area
Able to work outside normal working hours on a planned basis and at short notice.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Have up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to…