Horsham (On-Site)
Permanent, Full time
Enhanced DBS check required
£43454 - £46699 per annum + Flexible Working, LGPS
37 hours per week
About Us
Adoption South East (ASE) is a regional adoption agency delivering adoption services on behalf of four local authorities (Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove) under a partnership agreement. Although our staff are all employed by the partner local authorities we exist as a separate organisation, with our own ASE management structure. This vacancy is hosted by West Sussex County Council, whose terms and conditions of employment would apply.
To learn more about us and our work please visit our website: www.adoptionsoutheast.org.uk
ASE works across the combined footprint of the four local authorities, from the London borders in the North all the way down to the South Coast. We place up to 100 children in adoptive families each year as well as supporting families in the early stages, and later during the children's growing up years, recognising that as well as joy, adopting brings challenges.
For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex.
The Opportunity
Salary: £43,454 - £46,699 per annum inclusive of market supplements
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full time - 37 hours per week
Location: Hybrid role - Based County Hall North, Horsham
Our Recruitment, Assessment and Placement Team works in the Northern half of the region, assessing potential adopters and remaining with them during their adoption journey, ending at Adoption Order. We are currently looking for an energetic a committed social worker to help us approve the families our children need. The social worker will be expected to travel within Surrey and the north of West Sussex.
Our team, which consists of Social Workers and Managers employed by all four local authorities, apply hybrid working models, meaning that although you would have an administrative base in Horsham, team members work largely remotely, making best use of technology, but with the option to touch base at any of our offices across the region. Regular team meetings are conducted both online and in person at a central base.
This is an opportunity to join a supportive and committed team of adoption professionals, with the added benefit of development opportunities. If you are a qualified social worker and you share our commitment to children and families, we would be delighted to hear from you. Experience working in one or more of the following social work fields: adoption, fostering or Looked After Children would be beneficial.
Experience and Skills
Just some of the key skills and experience you will need to be successful:
- Analysis and interpretation of complex information and data to enable prioritisation and support in planning next steps.
- Work as part of a team and partnership with key stakeholders to assess needs and implement outcomes.
- Communicate effectively to all audiences, both written and orally and negotiated and persuade where necessary.
- recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
- Completed relevant post qualifying training, have evidence of at least one year's experience post qualification and be registered with the relevant professional body.
- Knowledge of Social Work theory and practice, with demonstrable examples of working with a breadth of complex situations, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development, motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution-focussed interventions and systemic working. A good understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in social work.
- Experience of managing levels of risk within a caseload of complex cases.
- You will need to be able to travel independently around the country, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
Rewards and Benefits
You will be part of a small group of social workers, managed by a Team Manager, with support from a Coordinator providing flexible administrative support embedded in the service. The team has regular group supervision and peer learning.
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE05543.
For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact Fiona Ruddock (Practice Manager) at . For issues or queries regarding your application please contact .
To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and cover letter. In your cover letter outline your motivations for applying and explain how you meet the key skills listed in full and the experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check. You must be able to travel throughout the county including to locations that are not always accessible by public transport.
Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.
Available documents
