Job Title: Team Manager - Adoption
Salary: £53,460 – £61,638 per annum
Grade: G
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
About the Department
Thurrock's Children's Services are committed to ensuring that every child grows up safe, supported and able to thrive. Our Outstanding Adoption Team plays a vital role in achieving permanence for children through high‑quality adoption practice. We work closely with colleagues across social care and with our regional partners in Adopt East to deliver timely, child‑centred adoption pathways. The Adoption Team Manager will play a key role in leading the service, driving standards and contributing to continued improvement across the wider directorate.
As an Adoption Team Manager, you will be responsible for:
* Providing strong, visible leadership to the Adoption Team, ensuring high‑quality, timely and legally compliant adoption practice.
* Managing, supervising and developing adoption social workers and practitioners through reflective supervision and effective performance oversight.
* Ensuring high‑quality assessment, approval and support of adopters in line with statutory timescales.
* Overseeing permanence planning, family finding, matching and placement for children, ensuring timely progression of adoption plans.
* Quality‑assuring all adoption documentation including PARs, CPRs and adoption support assessments.
* Working collaboratively with children's social care teams to promote early permanence, timely decision‑making and robust care planning.
* Ensuring adopters and children receive proportionate and timely adoption support, including therapeutic interventions where appropriate.
* Maintaining accurate, compliant case records and ensuring adherence to legislation, guidance and local procedures.
* Working closely with Adopt East and other partners to support high standards of adoption practice and regional collaboration.
This role offers the chance to make a real difference by leading a committed team to secure the best possible outcomes for children for whom adoption is the plan.
We're looking for someone who has:
* A recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
* Strong leadership, line management and decision‑making skills and experience in Adoption
* In‑depth knowledge of adoption legislation, regulations and statutory guidance.
* Excellent analytical, communication and report‑writing skills.
* Significant post‑qualifying experience in children and families social work, including direct experience in adoption/permanence.
* Experience supervising and supporting social work staff.
* The ability to work collaboratively, prioritise effectively and model high‑quality practice.
Essential qualifications: Social Work Degree / Diploma in Social Work / CQSW (or equivalent) and be registered with Social Work England (SWE)
DBS Check: Enhanced with Children's barred list check
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
* Ongoing training and professional development
* Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
* Staff discounts and local offers
* A supportive and inclusive working environment
Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 26th February 2026
Closing Date (Internal & External): 8th March 2026
Interview Date: 16th - 17th March 2026
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact
Elise McQueen - Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
Application Requirements -
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
Gaps in Employment Form
Gaps in Employment Example
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council