Senior Social Worker - Adopt South West

Cornwall Council; Truro; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is seeking a qualified Senior Social Worker to provide support to adoptive families in Cornwall. This permanent role involves undertaking assessments, offering therapeutic support, and safeguarding children. Flexible working arrangements are available. Candidates should have experience in child and family work, particularly in adoption and safeguarding. The position offers competitive pay and a vibrant work environment.

Benefits

26 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in safeguarding, adoption, and group work preferred.
• Up-to-date knowledge of social work related to permanence.
• Flexible with the ability to manage workload.

Responsibilities

• Undertake adoption support needs assessments.
• Provide therapeutic support to families.
• Assess and address risk for children.

Skills

Experience of working with children and families

Knowledge of social work practice related to permanence

Organizational skills

Ability to work independently

Fluency in English

Job description

Overview

Salary: £39,862 - £44,075 per annum. A permanent post has arisen for a qualified senior social worker in Adopt South West to provide support to adoptive families in the Cornish area of the region. The post is for 37 hours per week. The role will primarily cover Cornwall area work, but you may be expected to cover other areas across the region and beyond when needed.

Responsibilities

• Undertake adoption support needs assessments and reviews.
• Provide therapeutic support to families, advocacy, and sourcing external support through national funding.
• Support families who are in crisis or where there is concern about breakdown in family relationships.
• Assess and address risk for children both within and external to their families; work with a professional network to safeguard children.
• Deliver workshops (including with parents), facilitate support groups, and assist in delivering therapeutic parenting courses.
• Deliver training to colleagues and external professionals.
• Provide adult adoption counselling, including writing and sharing file summaries for adult adoptees.
• Offer support to birth families when needed.

About You / Qualifications

• Experience of working with children and families, ideally safeguarding, adoption and group work experience.
• Up-to-date knowledge of social work practice related to permanence; understanding the needs of adoptive families and adoptees.
• Well organized with the ability to manage and prioritise your own workload and work independently at times.
• Flexible working hours, travel, and some work outside the county may be required.
• Benefit from peer mentoring and monthly supervision in this role.

Additional Information

• Equal employment opportunity: DCC embraces the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an inclusive and safe environment; we welcome applications from those who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity. See Equality and Diversity information for more details.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working: Flexible arrangements in terms of when and where people work (e.g., hybrid, part-time, condensed hours).
• Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults; all staff and volunteers share this commitment.
• English language requirement: The role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Data protection: Personal data collected will be processed in accordance with the applicant privacy notice.
• Working for Devon: Further information about working for Devon County Council can be found on the Working for Devon pages.
• DBS: This role requires a DBS disclosure.

What We Can Offer

• 26 days of annual leave per year pro rata (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays (effective from 1 April 2023).
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to confidential Employee Assistance Programme (24/7).
• Flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role).
• Discounts from local and high street retailers through the Devon Discounts scheme.

We are committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be assessed against the Childcare Disqualification Regulations.

This is not a Cornwall Council vacancy; please contact the organisation directly for further information.

Application Details

Closing Date: 28/10/2025

Informal Discussion: If you would like to speak to us to gain further information, please contact Team Manager, Phil Duffy.

Management and contact details: Internal Applicants, please log in using iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to apply. The Council welcomes applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.