Senior Social Worker - Adoption Matching and Support Team

Birmingham Children’s Trust Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Free parking

Employee benefits scheme

Flexible/hybrid working

Pension scheme

Job summary

Birmingham Children’s Trust is seeking a Senior Social Worker to join the Matching and Support team in Birmingham. The role focuses on high-level preparation work and support for prospective adopters as they are matched with a child.

The successful candidate will have a Social Work degree with SWE registration, at least 3 years post-qualifying experience with children and families, and strong assessment and communication skills. The role offers hybrid working with some office-based days.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work with SWE registration.
• At least 3 years post-qualifying experience working with children and families.
• Strong assessment and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level preparation and support to prospective adopters as they are matched with a child.
• Co-deliver adoption preparation and support initiatives and workshops with adopter co-trainers.
• Contribute to safeguarding and casework best practices within the Adoption Services.

Skills

Social Work

Communication

Assessment

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

About The Role

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are dedicated 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.

You will be joining a dynamic and innovative Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt Birmingham. The agency is also registered as a Voluntary Adoption Agency. Adopt Birmingham was rated GOOD, with Outstanding Leadership and Management, at our last Ofsted in September 2025.

We are seeking a Senior Social Worker to join the Matching and Support team, who provide a high level of preparation work and support to prospective adopters as they are matched with a child and adjust to becoming an adoptive family.

There are also opportunities to co-deliver a range of adoption preparation and support initiatives promoting therapeutic parenting skills, Stay and Play sessions, and themed workshops working in partnership with adopter co-trainers.

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.

About you

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate individual who is committed to making a difference. The ideal candidate will have:

• A degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• At least 3 years post-qualifying experience working with children and families in a social work setting.
• Strong assessment and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.

Onboarding Process

Please note as part of our onboarding process, the successful candidate will be required undergo a series of background checks with Experian including Experian DBS, Experian Right to Work, and Digital ID verification. These are essential pre-employment requirements.

Our Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service and 35 days after 10 years of service.
• Free on-site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley). We also provide onsite electric car charging ports which are free to use!
• Full access to our amazing internal employee benefits scheme including, Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness and Personal Wellbeing support and much more!
• Flexible and hybrid working policy - we are well adapted to a hybrid model of working which includes a combination of time spent in the office and at home and we offer a variety of working patterns.
• Pension Scheme - You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme in line with the local government pension scheme.

About Us

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.