About The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of Adopter Recruitment assessment and Family Finding Team Manager with Northamptonshire Childrens Trust Voluntary Adoption Agency.
As the team manager, you will be responsible for managing the agency's adopter recruitment and assessment functions and leading on family finding for children within NCT who have a plan of adoption. You will maintain collaborative working relationships with colleagues within the Children’s Trust, Family Adoption Links Regional Adoption Alliance and partner agencies to ensure services are developed and delivered to meet the needs of families and children within the context of the modernising adoption agenda. Key initiatives include preparing and assessing adopters with a focus on maintaining meaningful relationships for adopted children with their birth families and other significant people and promoting Early Permanence.
You will join a highly motivated and skilled team of practitioners and managers who aspire to deliver outstanding services to children and families and to develop and deliver services in line with learning from research, feedback and best practice models.
In February 2025 NCT VAA had its second Ofsted inspection as a Voluntary Adoption Agency since registration. The service was rated as GOOD with Outstanding features and noted that the leadership and management of the agency is particularly strong and ambitious. The manager and responsible individual are very experienced in adoption and are driven by a real passion to make a positive difference to children. They ensure that the culture of the agency is characterised by high expectations and aspirations for all children.
We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates. Please email to agree a mutually agreeable time to call you. In person interviews will be held 4th November.
What will you be doing?
As a team manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the work of the adopter recruitment, assessment and family finding team. You will provide line management supervision and support to practice managers, social workers and family support workers to promote high-quality services for children and their families. You will maintain oversight of practice standards and compliance using case auditing and monitoring of service KPIs, and work collaboratively with the service manager to develop and improve practice in line with the service plan. You will work with the service manager to review and develop practice and policy in line with changes to regulation and legislation and in response to local and national developments, including learning from research.
About You
We are looking for someone who is passionate about developing and delivering high-quality services for children and their families. Northamptonshire Children’s Trust has a Relational Practice Approach with pillars such as Trauma-Informed Practice, Systemic Practice and Signs of Safety. Post-qualification training in related methodologies and tools will be beneficial. You should have a creative and flexible approach to support the service as we move forward.
You will have experience of supporting staff and stakeholders through change and a commitment to maintaining a culture in which staff, children and families feel supported and are involved in practice development. You should be able to develop and maintain respectful, collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders. You should have prior experience of working and managing within a social care setting including within adoption services, with working knowledge of Adoption Regulations, NMS and the legislative framework within which Adoption services operate. Previous experience of working within a VAA alongside a Children’s Trust would be beneficial but is not essential. You will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
When applying, please ensure your supporting statement covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification, as this will be used to shortlist. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full-time education. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
About Us
At Northamptonshire Childrens Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do in every decision and action. Our mission is driven by the commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils. Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to delivering services and support to children, young people and families. We value our colleagues and empower them to do the best job of their lives in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is welcomed. Equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and we are a disability confident employer with a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria. Join our dedicated team and be part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
* SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
* Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £2,200
* Relocation costs of up to £8,000
* Retention bonus payments for established personnel
* 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years
* Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection
* Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
* Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured for you and your immediate family, 24/7
* Employee discounts with local and national retailers
* Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
* A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team
* Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
* Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
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