Adoption Support Worker - Adoption West

Bath and North East Somerset Council; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Adoption West is seeking a Support Worker to join the Adoption Support Helpdesk, providing initial assessments and support to adoptive families in the Adoption West region. You will respond to enquiries, offer guidance on services and liaise with the Senior Practitioner and Manager daily.

The role requires A levels or a National Diploma, strong communication skills, and the ability to work flexibly across regional offices with remote options. A driving licence and IT proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• A levels / National Diploma or equivalent experience/skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work on own initiative against deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven negotiation skills especially when working with customers who may be upset and stressed.
• Self-sufficient in planning and organising own work, including recording, storing and retrieving required data and information.
• An awareness of Government initiatives in relation to Adoption best practice and procedures.
• To be an active team player by contributing to the development of the service, ensuring the customer is always at the centre of such developments.
• Good IT skills.
• Fluent in English.
• A driving licence and use of a vehicle as travelling around the region is required.
• Experience of working with children and/or families

Responsibilities

• The Support Worker post will operate within the adoption support service.
• The support worker will answer enquiries, provide support and undertake initial assessments for adoptive families contacting the Adoption Support Helpdesk.
• The role will include supporting families in crisis, giving information about adoption support services and processes, signposting to external services (including education and health), giving advice about therapeutic parenting, liaising closely with the Senior Practitioner and Manager on a daily basis and undertaking allocated tasks as required.
• You will need:

Skills

Excellent written and verbal kommunic

Education

A levels / National Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Start date: 1st November 2026 or as soon after this as possible

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

This post is an exciting opportunity to become part of the Adoption West’s adoption Support Helpdesk

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. You will be joining an experienced adoption support team who are committed to developing excellent support services for adopted children and their families across the region.

Main Duties

The Support Worker post will operate within the adoption support service. The support worker will answer enquiries, provide support and undertake initial assessments for adoptive families contacting the Adoption Support Helpdesk. The role will include supporting families in crisis, giving information about adoption support services and processes, signposting to external services (including education and health), giving advice about therapeutic parenting, liaising closely with the Senior Practitioner and Manager on a daily basis and undertaking allocated tasks as required.

You will need:

• A levels / National Diploma or equivalent experience/skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work on own initiative against deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven negotiation skills especially when working with customers who may be upset and stressed.
• Self-sufficient in planning and organising own work, including recording, storing and retrieving required data and information.
• An awareness of Government initiatives in relation to Adoption best practice and procedures.
• To be an active team player by contributing to the development of the service, ensuring the customer is always at the centre of such developments.
• Good I.T. skills.
• Fluent in English.
• A driving licence and use of a vehicle as travelling around the region is required.
• Experience of working with children and/or families

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 Principles and Values during the interviewing process.

Role Description