Social Worker - Adoption Focus

Cheshire West and Chester Council; Winsford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Free parking at office locations

Training and development opportunities

Career progression pathways

Social Work England registration paid

Job summary

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking an experienced Adoption Social Worker to lead adoption plans within the Children in Care Service. Based at Wyvern House, Winsford, you'll build relationships with children, families and partner agencies to secure permanency.

The role involves care planning, family finding, matching, transitions and adoption orders, with hybrid working arrangements and strong supervision to support you in making a lasting difference in children's lives.

Qualifications

• Experienced and compassionate Social Worker
• Passionate about achieving best outcomes for children
• Adoption experience desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead on progressing adoption plans for children whose care plans are endorsed for adoption
• Build relationships with children, families, adopters and partner agencies
• Identify the right permanent family for each child from care planning to matching, transitions and adoption orders

Job description

Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe, loving and permanent family. As an Adoption Social Worker within our Children in Care Service, you will play a vital role in making that happen.

We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Social Worker who is passionate about achieving the very best outcomes for children. This is a rewarding opportunity to support children on their journey to permanence, helping them move from uncertainty to stability, security and belonging.

As the dedicated Adoption Social Worker within one of our Children in Care teams, you will take the lead on progressing adoption plans for children whose care plans have been endorsed as adoption. You will build meaningful relationships with children, work closely with families, adopters and partner agencies, and use your expertise to identify the right permanent family for each child. From care planning and family finding through to matching, transitions and adoption orders, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in children's lives every day.

Based at our modern offices in Wyvern House, Winsford, you will be part of a supportive borough-wide service covering Chester, Winsford and Ellesmere Port. While the role involves travelling across and beyond the borough, it also offers flexibility through hybrid working arrangements.

At Cheshire West and Chester Council, we are proud of our child-centred approach and our commitment to helping both children and practitioners thrive. Our practice is rooted in trauma-informed and systemic principles, supported by excellent supervision, reflective practice and a culture where learning and development are genuinely valued. Many of our leaders began their careers with us and progressed through our organisation.

We are also embracing innovative ways of working. Our use of Magic Notes is transforming practice by reducing administrative burden and giving social workers more time to focus on what matters most, building relationships with children and families. Practitioners report improved work-life balance, reduced stress and more meaningful direct work, allowing them to make an even greater impact.

Why join us?

When you join Cheshire West and Chester, you'll become part of a team that is passionate about changing lives and supporting one another to do their very best work. We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Bright, modern and recently refurbished office environments
• Free parking at all office locations
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Up to 16 days of flexi leave each year, in addition to annual leave
• Social Work England registration paid by the Council
• High-quality supervision and support
• Strong reflective practice framework
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Clear career progression pathways
• A positive, supportive and ambitious social work culture

If you are an experienced Social Worker with adoption experience who is ready to make a lifelong difference for children and help them find a place to call home, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Sarah Archibald at [e-mail]

Join us and help create brighter futures, one child at a time.