Social Worker - Permanence Support

Job Title: Social Worker - Permanence SupportLocation: Woodley, ReadingContract: Permanent, 37 hours per week

Salary: £37,035 - £43,693 (Dependent on experience)

Adopt Thames Valley is a regional adoption agency that was launched in December 2017. We deliver Permanence Services on behalf of several local authorities including Bracknell, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, Reading, Swindon, and Oxfordshire. Hosted by Oxfordshire County Council, we have offices in Oxford, Abingdon, Woodley, and Swindon.

We are looking for a dedicated, qualified Social Worker to join our Permanence Support Team based in Woodley, Reading. This is a key role providing essential post-order support to adopters, special guardians, children, and birth families. As a Social Worker in this team, you will work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure that children and families affected by adoption have the necessary resources and support to thrive.

You will be involved in offering a range of services, including emotional support, therapeutic interventions, advice on financial support, and facilitating access to services. You will be working closely with adopters, special guardians, and birth families to navigate the challenges post-placement and help sustain stable, supportive relationships.

• Assessments and Support Plans: Carry out thorough assessments of adopters, special guardians, and birth families to identify their support needs. Develop and implement individualised support plans to meet these needs.
• Post-Adoption Support: Provide ongoing support to adopters and special guardians, offering guidance and intervention when necessary, to ensure placements remain stable and children thrive in their adoptive or special guardian families.
• Birth Family Support: Work with birth families to ensure that they receive the necessary support and information regarding adoption and special guardianship, assisting them in understanding their ongoing role in the child's life.
• Therapeutic Support: Offer therapeutic interventions to adopters, children, and families, ensuring emotional and psychological wellbeing, and provide strategies to manage difficult behaviours and attachment issues.
• Case Management: Manage a caseload of families, ensuring that all cases are up-to-date with relevant documentation and reports. Ensure compliance with regulations, legislation, and local policies regarding adoption and special guardianship.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other agencies, including health professionals, education services, and legal representatives, to ensure that all aspects of post-order support are being met.
• Training and Guidance: Provide training to adopters, special guardians, and other professionals on post-adoption matters and ensure that families have access to relevant resources and services.
• Safeguarding: Ensure that children's safety and welfare are a priority in all aspects of the role, with appropriate safeguarding procedures followed.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain accurate, confidential case records and reports in line with departmental policies, ensuring all key information is documented and accessible.

To succeed in this role, you will need to be a qualified Social Worker with experience in adoption or family support. You should have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by adopters, special guardians, and birth families and be committed to improving the lives of children and families affected by adoption. We are looking for someone who is passionate about social work, with excellent communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work creatively and flexibly.

• Vivup benefits platform
• Vivup Highfive recognition platform
• Cyclescheme (eco-conscious commuting option)
• Electric vehicle lease scheme
• Discounts at local retailers
• Salary finance options
• Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
• A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution

At Oxfordshire County Council, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce. We accept everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith, belief, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. Our staff network groups offer support, education, and safe spaces.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. All employees, workers, and volunteers share this commitment.

We support flexible working, including options such as flexi-time, part-time work, job sharing, nine-day fortnights, and annualised hours, depending on the role and service requirements.

Contact:For further details or to apply, contact Phil at Ackerman Pierce on