Agency Decision Maker (Adopt South)

Hampshire County Council; Swanwick CP; Remote; GBP 68,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work life balance

Internal development programmes

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is recruiting an experienced Agency Decision Maker for Adopt South to oversee delegated adoption functions across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. You will review panel recommendations and make final decisions on behalf of Adopt South, affecting children and families.

You must be registered with Social Work England with a Social Work degree, and have senior Local Authority management experience, strong safeguarding and communication skills, and a

Qualifications

• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England and a social work degree.
• Strong knowledge of adoption regulations and relevant legislation.
• Senior Local Authority management experience (Head of Service / Area Director / Service Manager).
• Passion for supporting children and families to thrive.

Responsibilities

• Make informed adoption decisions for Adopt South, reviewing panel recommendations.
• Lead adopter approvals, children's plans for adoption, and matches across partner authorities.
• May involve some face-to-face meetings and safeguarding oversight.

Skills

Decision making

Safeguarding

Communication

Flexibility

Education

Social Work degree (or equivalent)

Job description

Agency Decision Maker (Adopt South)

Job Reference: HCC625223

Salary Range: £68,070 - £76,341 per annum (actual salary £34,035 - £38,170 per annum)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 25 October 2026

This role is with Adopt South , the partnership Regional Adoption Agency for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton local authorities, with the lead authority Hampshire County Council as the employer.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced adoption professional with an excellent understanding of adoption regulations and policies to act as Agency Decision Maker for the delegated functions within Adopt South. This includes adopter approvals, children's plans for adoption, and matches for partnership local authorities where this work is in scope. This will involve reviewing adoption panel recommendations and making final decisions on behalf of Adopt South.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative team and make a real difference to children and families across the South of the country. This could include participation in our away day events and family event with our adopters and their children.

What you'll do:

You will have significant Local Authority children's management experience, and have worked at either Head of Service, Area Director or Service Manager level, in addition to experience within the adoption field. You will be confident in your ability to make informed decisions and will use your excellent communication skills to do so. You will have a strong track record of excellent safeguarding practice.

The role covers the whole of the Adopt South region (Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton local authorities) and may include some face-to-face meetings.

What we're looking for:

You will have a strong track record of excellent safeguarding practice. You will have the capacity to be flexible and respond to decision-making requirements within timescales, whilst ensuring all decisions provide good outcomes for children. Currently registered with Social Work England and holding a Social Work degree (or equivalent), you will not only have a strong knowledge and understanding of adoption regulations, but also of relevant legislation and practice. Most importantly, however, you will have a passion for supporting children and families to ensure that they can thrive and flourish.

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally asone of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance. We invest in you through our internal development programmes and training and offer a competitive salary and benefits package .

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children's Services,references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.