Adoption Support Social worker

NHS; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional adoption agency is seeking a part-time social worker to provide support and advice to adoptive families. The role requires a social work qualification and experience with children and families facing complex needs. This position offers flexible working arrangements and a competitive salary range of £24,240 to £25,401 annually plus a market supplement.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension Scheme

Access to Child Care vouchers scheme

Qualifications

• A Social Work Qualification (degree or equivalent) and current registration with Social Work England.
• Experience of working as a Social Worker or having had a student social work placement with children and families.
• An understanding of early life experiences such as trauma or abuse.

Responsibilities

• Providing advice and support to adoptive families.
• Assessing the support needs of adoptive families.
• Working with children and families with complex needs.

Skills

Social Work Qualification

Experience with complex needs

Ability to analyze complex information

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

This is not a Wiltshire Council vacancy therefore please contact Adoption West for further information.

Contract type:Temporary until May 2026

Hours:Part time 22.5 hours per week

Interview date:Thursday 16th October 2025

Location:Post will be covering Bristol and North Somerset. 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

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.

Main Duties

• 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

You will need:

• A Social Work Qualification (degree or equivalent) and current registration with Social Work England
• Experience of working as a Social Worker or having had a student social work placement with children and families
• An understanding of early life experiences such as trauma or abuse and the impact they can have on children and young people throughout their lives
• The ability to analyse complex information to make recommendations and informed decisions
• The ability to work both as part of a team, sharing knowledge and managing cases
• The ability to use your own initiative and work independently
• Experience of managing your own caseload and working to deadlines

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

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.

Additional Information

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will require an Enhanced DBS check before appointment can be confirmed.

Confidentiality: Employees are expected to maintain the required level of confidentiality at all times in relation to their work.

All candidates applying for Adoption West roles are assessed against the Behaviour Principals and Values (available below) during the interviewing process.

Job responsibilities

Knowledge and Skills

Some relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment.

Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation in the area of specialism.

Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems.

Experience of multi-disciplinary and partnership working and awareness of the issues involved.

Planning and workload management skills. Proven assessment and investigation skills appropriate to the scope of the role.

Ability to carry out complex client assessments.

Experience of using professional knowledge to work within referral systems according to established criteria.

Proven ability to work with challenging client groups and situations. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Proven ability to deliver training. Accurate record keeping and report writing. Good presentational skills.

Knowledge of financial assessment processes.

Creativity and Innovation

Apply professional knowledge and experience to interpret and recommend policy, resolve complex issues, proactively anticipate problems and deliver solutions which enhance the quality and efficiency of services.

Responsible for meeting performance standards within a policy framework and regulatory guidelines.

Considerable scope to exercise initiative in taking action - within the boundary of well-defined policies.

Contribute to long term strategies.

Responsible for professional advice, assessments or referrals, ensuring interventions are timely and cost effective.

Manage a complex and varied caseload within a framework of policy and procedures subject to managerial control and review of results.

Research information to support and develop services for the client group.

Prepare standard reports and contribute to reports for court/tribunals as required, representing the service at court/tribunal attendance as required.

Assess and oversee adaptation work including advice and demonstration of specialist equipment to clients.

Person Specification

Experience

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Qualifications

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Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£24,240 to £25,401 a year plus 8% market supplement until 31st March 2026