Adoption Social Worker

Directorate: Children and Family Services
Section: Children’s Social Care – Adoption Service
Grade: Level 11 (£43,149–£46,579 per annum)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting and improving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improving independence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you come in. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. The skills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to delivering our ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employer people are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality services our residents need.

Further information on why work for us

Join Our Children and Families Service

We are growing and developing our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitious programme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed and values-led professionals to join us.

The Role

Help children find the security, belonging and lasting family relationships they deserve. As an Adoption Social Worker, you will work with prospective adopters, children and partner professionals to support well-planned, timely adoption journeys and positive outcomes for children who cannot return to their birth families.

You will recruit, assess and prepare prospective adopters, contribute to family finding and matching, and provide support to approved adopters and adoptive families. Combining thoughtful assessment with purposeful direct work, you will keep children’s needs, identities and experiences at the centre of permanence planning. The post is based at the Civic Centre, with hybrid working arrangements.

About You

-A recognised professional social work qualification and the ability to meet Social Work England registration and re-registration requirements and professional standards.
-Knowledge of children and families social care legislation and guidance, including safeguarding, care planning, fostering and adoption.
-Experience of direct work with children, young people and families, with the ability to build trusted relationships and support people through complex decisions.
-Strong assessment, intervention and case management skills, informed by child development, evidence-based practice and a clear focus on outcomes.
-Excellent communication and report-writing skills, with the confidence to present complex information and work collaboratively with carers, families and partner agencies.
-A reflective, restorative and child-centred approach, with sound professional judgement, strong organisation and a commitment to equality and continuing development.

Key Responsibilities

-Recruit, assess and prepare prospective adopters, completing Stage 1 and Stage 2 adoption assessments to agreed standards and timescales.
-Contribute to family finding, linking and matching children with adoptive families, keeping children’s individual needs and permanence plans central to decisions.
-Prepare clear, analytical reports and attend and present at Adoption Panel, providing professional advice and evidence to support robust decision-making.
-Provide support to approved adopters and adoptive families, working with colleagues and partners to identify needs and coordinate appropriate post-adoption support.
-Participate in activity days, exchange events and family-finding initiatives, building effective relationships that help children achieve permanence without avoidable delay.
-Maintain accurate records, review plans and outcomes, follow safeguarding procedures and contribute to regional and national adoption performance expectations.

Why Join Us?

-Make a lasting difference to children’s lives by helping secure stable, loving adoptive families.
-Work across adopter recruitment, assessment, matching and support, bringing your skills to each stage of the adoption journey.
-Develop your professional practice through supervision, learning and partnership working within our Adoption Service.

What we offer

-A permanent role with a salary of £43,149–£46,579 per annum.
-28 days’ annual leave rising to 33 days after five years’ continuous service, plus eight public/bank holidays.
-Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
-Opportunities for professional development, learning and management development.

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here

Want to know more?

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:
Mariella Moult
Mariella.Moult@stoke.gov.uk

Pre-employment checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

-Right to Work in the UK.
-Proof of address.
-Satisfactory references.
-Occupational Health clearance.
-Evidence of relevant professional qualifications or registrations.
-A DBS check at the appropriate level.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Additional information

Your career matters here. At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and can succeed together.

If an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will be advised accordingly.

To Apply

Please create or log in to your account and click ‘apply’. If you have any queries or need an application form in another format, email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 238189.

In order to apply for this vacancy, you must be able to supply the required answers to the following questions:
-Do you have the Right to Work in the UK?