Salary: £39,384 - £42,620 plus £4,000 recruitment bonusLocation: NorthamptonshireContact: Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce on ,

Are you an experienced social worker passionate about placing children, young people, and their families at the heart of your work? We invite you to join our dedicated Adoption team, delivering high-quality and effective adoption services aligned with the modernising adoption agenda.

As a social worker within our Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA), you will be part of a motivated and highly skilled team striving for the best outcomes for children and their families. Building on our progress, we proudly achieved an Ofsted judgement of GOOD in February 2022.

In this dynamic role, you will be responsible for recruiting, training, and assessing prospective adoptive applications, as well as supporting adoptive families through to the final adoption hearing. You will work within a supportive, county-wide team that values learning and upholds high standards.

Your role will involve investing in team dynamics and fostering collaborative relationships, respecting the strengths of others, celebrating differences, and seeking effective solutions.

• Conduct thorough, timely assessments of prospective applicants.
• Engage directly with parents/carers and children/young people, using appropriate methods to inform the assessment and planning process, ensuring their views are heard and responded to supportively.
• Ensure all information and reports related to your work are accurately recorded, updated, and completed in line with Directorate and legislative policies, providing a solid foundation for audit, court, and other legitimate purposes.
• Represent our children, adopters, and adoption service professionally at adoption panels and court hearings.
• Collaborate effectively with applicants, adopters, colleagues, and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children.

• You understand the lifelong impact of children's early life experiences and their long-term needs.
• You possess knowledge of the legal framework relating to adoption and experience in therapeutic parenting and attachment theory, applying these concepts in your work with families and children.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• You have experience in undertaking assessments of children and families.
• You hold a degree in Social Work, a valid Social Work England Registration, at least two years of post-qualification experience, and possess a driving licence and car.

• Yearly payment for SWE Registration (for social care colleagues).
• Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £4,000.
• Relocation costs of up to £8,000.
• 28 days of annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time), and an additional 5 days after 5 years.
• Local Government Pension Scheme, including immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days of annual leave.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, providing support for you and your immediate family members 24/7, including counselling and legal advice.
• Discounts with local and national retailers, finance, health and beauty, travel, and dining.
• Flexible and family-friendly working arrangements, including enhanced maternity benefits.
• A supportive and inclusive management team that empowers you to make sound professional decisions.
• Extensive learning, development, and career advancement opportunities.
• Subsidised town centre car parking scheme.

At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, children, young people, and families are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is driven by our commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. We are wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

Our workforce is our most valuable asset, essential to providing outstanding services and support for children, young people, and families. We value our colleagues, fostering a culture of support, kindness, and celebration of achievements while welcoming creativity.

At NCT, equality, diversity, and inclusion are integral to our ethos, enabling all colleagues to develop and thrive. We are a disability confident employer and guarantee interviews for care leavers who meet the essential criteria.

Join our dedicated team and make a real difference in the lives of children and families!