Head of Service - Adoption@Heart

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 73,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a Head of Service for Adoption@Heart. This role requires a strategic leader to manage adoption services, ensuring high-quality outcomes for children and families. Candidates should have a recognized social work qualification and proven experience in change management. The position offers a competitive salary of £73,604 - £78,051 plus a £10,000 market forces supplement. Join a dedicated team and make a life-changing impact in the adoption services sector.

Benefits

Competitive salary plus market forces supplement

Opportunity to shape adoption services

Qualifications

• Proven strategic leader with experience in children's placements.
• Strong track record in managing change and driving organisational development.
• Financially confident with experience in budgeting and resource planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Adoption@Heart’s strategic vision and business plan.
• Inspire and empower a dedicated team to deliver high-quality adoption services.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities and national networks.
• Ensure excellence in adoption support for children and adopters.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Education

Recognised social work qualification

Job description

Post Title: Adoption@Heart - Head of Service

Directorate: Children’s Social Care

Salary Grade: Grade 11 £73,604 - £78,051 (plus £10k per annum market forces supplement)

Location: Civic Centre Wolverhampton

Are you ready to make a life-changing impact?

Adoption@Heart, the Regional Adoption Agency for Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, is seeking an exceptional Head of Service to lead our passionate team and drive forward our mission: finding loving, permanent families for children who need them most.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of adoption services across the region. You’ll provide inspirational leadership, championing the value of permanence and ensuring our services are evidence-based, innovative, and focussed on achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop Adoption@Heart’s strategic vision and business plan.
• Inspire and empower a dedicated team to deliver high-quality adoption services.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities and national networks.
• Ensure excellence in adoption support for children, adopters, birth families, and adult adoptees.
• Represent Adoption@Heart nationally, influencing policy and best practice.

What We’re Looking For

• A proven strategic leader with experience in children’s placements, ideally adoption.
• Strong track record in managing change and driving organisational development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Financially confident with experience in budgeting and resource planning.
• A recognised social work qualification and commitment to safeguarding and equality.

Why Join Us?

• Play a pivotal role in transforming lives and shaping adoption services.
• Work with a highly motivated, passionate team.
• Competitive salary plus £10,000 market forces supplement.
• Local and national adoption policy.

The Job Description is attached. Please complete our application process by submitting your up to date CV and a supporting statement detailing your skills and experiences and why you would be suitable for this opportunity.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Closing date: Sunday 21st December 2025

Interviews will provisionally take place week commencing W/C 12th January 2025

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please feel free to email Lisa Preston [e-mail] and we can arrange a convenient time for a conversation.

For full details of the responsibilities and requirements of this role please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Our working arrangements

All council roles are allocated to either a fixed, field or flexible work style.Some roles are agile which enable and empower employees to maximise their performance and productivity, whilst maintaining a healthy work life balance. Roles with a fixed workstyle work in a fixed permanent council location. Roles with a field workstyle are usually allocated where employees are required to be out working in the community with a minimum requirement for 'touch down' space at any council location. Roles with a flexible workstyle have a flexible base location to meet the needs of the business and employees can work from a mixture of home or any council office, partner/client, or external location, as required to meet service requirements.

Please refer to the Job Description for further information on the workstyle assigned to the role you are applying for.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

We are committed to the fair treatment of all our employees, potential employees, or users of our service regardless of offending background. The Council uses the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for any vacancies that require a DBS check to obtain information about applicants to assess their suitability for employment in positions of trust. We do not discriminate unfairly against any individual on the basis of a conviction or any other information revealed as a result of a DBS disclosure.

Employment Information & Support

If you are considering applying for an apprenticeship or a role where the salary is (Grade 2-5), and would like to visit us to learn about the application, interview process and what it is like to work for the council, please click here to find out more.

Diversity

We are committed to building a workforce that is reflective of the diverse community we serve. We want to attract the best applications from people of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups because we strongly believe in adding value through diversity, inclusion, and equality. Our employees enable us to deliver services that are accessible, inclusive, and reflective of Wolverhampton residents.

Our status as a Disability Confident Employer showcases our commitment to people with disabilities or health conditions, advocating for their opportunities and potential.

We've received the Stonewall Gold Award, emphasising our dedication to the LGBT+ community by nurturing an inspiring, inclusive, and equal workplace.

As of March 2023, the RACE Code Quality Mark signifies our active engagement with racial equality. These recognitions validate our continuous efforts towards fostering an inclusive work environment that respects and values our diverse employees.

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the essential criteria for the post.

We encourage, inspire and value an inclusive culture here at the council where employees can flourish, thrive and be themselves. We have four staff equality forums for employees to join. These help to ensure our employees have a voice, they feel empowered to speak up and where everyone is treated with respect - Learn more about the staff equality forums here.

Attached documents

Job Description and Person Specification