Adoption Support Social Worker - Adoption West

Bristol City Council; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional adoption agency is looking for an Adoption Support Social Worker to provide support and advice to adoptive families. This part-time role involves assessing support needs and working with children facing complex challenges. Ideal candidates will have a social work qualification and experience with children and families. Flexible working arrangements and a Local Government Pension Scheme are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension Scheme

Access to Child Care vouchers

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Social Work with current registration.
• Experience in social work, particularly with children.
• Ability to analyze and make informed decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and support to adoptive families.
• Assess support needs of adoptive families.
• Work with children and families with complex needs.
• Provide therapeutic support through applications.

Skills

Social Work Qualification

Experience with children and families

Understanding of trauma and abuse

Analytical skills for complex information

Team collaboration

Independence and initiative

Caseload management

Education

Degree in Social Work or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Adoption Support Social Worker - Adoption West. Fixed Term until May 2026, Part Time 22.5 hours per week.

Job details

Job reference: VAC007474
Date posted: 18/09/2025
Application closing date: 06/10/2025
Location: Various Locations (Bristol and North Somerset; office base in Bristol, Gloucester or Trowbridge within the Adoption West region; working from home)

Salary and hours

Salary: £39,862 - £41,771 pro rata; £24,240 - £25,401 per annum (plus 8% market supplement until 31st March 2026). Contractual hours: 22.5 per week.

Employer

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.

About Adoption West

• 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.

How to apply

For further information and to apply please click here.