Part Time Senior Practitioner

Birmingham Children's Trust; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional adoption agency is seeking a Family Finding Senior Practitioner to oversee the identification of suitable families for children with adoption or long-term fostering plans. The role includes supervising senior social workers, coordinating meetings, and providing direct support to children and families. Ideal candidates will have an approved social work qualification, three years of relevant experience, and a passion for positive outcomes for children. This position is hybrid, based in Birmingham, with flexible working conditions to ensure a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in childcare social work.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Experience working with vulnerable children and families.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for team managers when required.
• Supervise and support senior social workers.
• Identify suitable families for adoption or fostering.
• Coordinate and chair professionals' meetings.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Effective communication

Partnership working

Trauma-informed practice

Childcare social work experience

Education

Approved social work qualification

Job description

We are seeking a Family Finding Senior Practitioner who will be responsible for deputising for the team managers when required, supervising and supporting the teams senior social workers and who will be identifying suitable families for children with adoption or long term fostering plans. We are committed to finding internal adopters and foster carers for our Birmingham children, but we also work nationally with external Adoption and Fostering Agencies to avoid delay and to ensure we find the right permanent matches for children. You will work closely with the team around the child, to assess each child's permanence and support needs. You will have a lead responsibility for coordinating and chairing professionals' meetings to plan and progress children's permanence matches. This role includes working directly with the child and supporting relevant professionals and carers to enable each child to have a successful transition to their new family. Adopt Birmingham values difference and is committed to ensuring that children's needs including disability, cultural identity, heritage and their individual needs are at the heart of permanency planning.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Do you have an approved social work qualification?
• Do you have at least 3 years post qualification in childcare social work?
• Are you registered with Social Work England?
• Do you have experience of working with vulnerable children and their families, as well as effective partnership working with statutory and voluntary agencies?
• Do you have a thorough working knowledge of professional social work practices and relevant legislation in Adoption and Fostering?
• Do you have a sound knowledge and understanding of the impact of trauma and children's early life experiences upon their needs?
• Are you dynamic and passionate about positive outcomes for children?
• Are you a confident communicator with excellent inter-personal, written and presentation skills?
• Are you a practice educator or equivalent and have experience of supervising social workers?
• Are you committed to professional learning and development and willing to adhere to Birmingham Children's Trust values?

At Birmingham Children's Trust, we are committed to providing outstanding care and support to children and families across Birmingham. Our mission is to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.

About the Team and Employer

You will be joining Adoption & Fostering Family Finding Team 2, a passionate, experienced and dedicated Team that is part of a dynamic and innovative Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt Birmingham. The agency is also registered as a Voluntary Adoption Agency. The Adoption Agency was rated 'Good', with 'Outstanding Leadership and Management', at our last Ofsted Inspection in January 2023. Birmingham Children's Trust has been recognised as the supportive social work employer of the year at the 2025 social worker of the year awards event. We have been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.