Adoption Support Social Worker

North Somerset Council; West of England; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

Adoption West is seeking an Adoption Support Social Worker to provide advice and support to adoptive families and assess their needs. You will work with children and families with complex needs, delivering therapeutic support and contributing to regional adoption services.

The role requires a Social Work qualification and current registration, with experience in social work and caseload management. This is a part-time position within a regional agency that operates across multiple authorities,

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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Initiative

Caseload management

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Social Work Degree

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

Welcome to North Somerset Council’s Web Recruitment page where you will find details of our current vacancies.

If you experience any issues completing your application, or require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please call the Human Resources Team on 01275 888788 or email [e-mail].

To advertise on this page, please contact Human Resources.

Adoption Support Social Worker

Bristol 28/09/2026

Job details

• Salary Grade K £41,777 - £43,149 pro rata (£33,873 - £34,985 per annum), plus 8% market supplement (subject to review)
• Contractual hours 30 Basis Part time
• Job category/type Social Worker
• Date posted 08/09/2026
• Job reference EXAW0341
• Attachments Job Description - Adoption Support Social Worker.docx

Job description

This is not a North Somerset Council vacancy and as such all correspondence must be made directly to Adoption West. The successful applicant will not be employed by North Somerset Council.

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.

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

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 theBehaviour Principles andValues during the interviewing process.