Yorkshire Adoption Agency is currently welcoming applications from qualified, experienced, and ambitious social workers interested in providing an excellent child focused professional social work service to adoptive families, birth families and adopted adults.
Some experience of adoption is essential in this post.
As the Agency offers services relating to both Domestic and Inter-Country adoption, it is expected that the post holder will develop skills and expertise in both areas of service whilst employed by the Agency.
Responsible to:
The post holder will report to a team manager and will be expected to play a full role in the team, working with and supporting other team members under the direction of the manager.
Benefits of the post include:
* Salary between £34,839 – £40,118 dependent on experience and subject to agreement.
* Clear progression framework.
* Flexible working involving office based and home working.
* A comfortable working environment with free onsite parking.
* Regular supervision and support.
* A listening service which values the contribution of staff members at all levels.
* Opportunities for professional development including externally commissioned training.
* Auto enrolled into a pension scheme.
* A generous leave allowance.
Requirements:
* Social Work England Registration.
* Eligible to work in the UK.
* Full UK licence holder preferable.
* Clear DBS check.
* Two satisfactory references.
* Able to work during office hours and flexibly where required.
Key duties will include:
Assessment of Prospective Adopters
* To undertake comprehensive and analytical assessments of prospective adopters who wish to adopt a child in the UK or from Overseas.
* To participate in the Agency's Office Enquiries Duty System when required.
* To present Prospective Adopter Reports (PARs) to the Agency's Adoption Approval Panel in compliance with Adoption Agencies Regulations.
* To prepare prospective adopters for attending the Agency's Adoption Approval Panel.
* To join the Agency's Central List of Adoption Panel members, if required.
Training
* To contribute to the training programme rota which will involve evening work.
* To support the Agency in ensuring that the quality of training being delivered is of a high standard.
Family Finding & Matching (Domestic Adoptions)
* To be fully involved in the Agency's Family Finding activities.
* To work closely with Local Authorities in the planning and placement of children with YAA approved adopters.
* To prepare prospective adopters for attending Local Authority matching panels.
* To provide support during transition plans.
Inter-Country Tasks
* Work closely with the Department for Education on behalf of the Agency.
* Support adopters, whilst families are overseas completing the ICA process of adoption in their chosen country.
Placement Support
* To fully support adoptive families following the placement of children.
* To attend relevant children's reviews and adoption planning meetings.
* To provide post adoption support to adoptive families. This will include liaising with Local Authorities in accordance with Adoption Support Regulations and supporting families who need to access the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.
* To prepare reports of a high quality as are required by the Agency and the Courts.
* Help with the facilitation of support groups for adopters and their families.
Events
* To contribute to attending events, inclusive to family and recruitment events, by being on the rota. This may involve weekend work.
Recruitment Campaign & Social Media
* Contribute to ideas and planning of marketing campaigns.
* Help with the collection of experienced adopter stories to use on social media and in training.
Generic SW Duties
* To complete all work with service users to a highly professional standard.
* To be responsible for managing a caseload under the supervision of the Team Managers.
* To undertake counselling of adults who have been adopted as children through YAA.
* The post holder will be expected to complete their duties to the standards and timescales as defined by current Adoption Agencies Regulations, National Minimum Standards and Statutory Practice Guidance. They will be required to follow all Agency Policies and Procedures and to comply with all Social Work England registration standards.
* To work as part of the social work team, attend monthly Team Meetings and contribute to the development and success of the Agency.
* Contribute to ensuring a positive, high profile for YAA in its dealings with the general public, prospective and approved adopters.
* To form and maintain a professional working relationship with other Agencies locally, in the region and nationally.
* To undertake any other duties in the interests of the services provided by the Agency. These will be determined by the CEO, however, will not substantially alter the Post Holder's Job Description or Conditions of Service. This will, for example, involve taking the lead for specific projects in the Agency or mentoring staff/students who are new to the Agency.
* The Post Holder will be committed to training and professional development and ensure that they remain fully up to date with changes to legislation and practice.
* The Post Holder understands that there will be an expectation that they will need to work some hours outside of office hours to meet the needs of the service users.
Closing date - 5pm, Friday 24th October 2025
Interview Date – Thursday 30th October 2025