Description | Salary £36,363-£40,777 Per annum| Grade 8 | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool | Preston International Sponsorship - this role is open to international sponsorship Are you ready to be part of a team committed to enhancing the lives of adoptive children, their families and adopted adults? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Social Worker in the Adoption Support Team within Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool. About us On 01 April 2020, Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council formed a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA): Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool. Lancashire County Council are the host authority for the RAA, which provides a comprehensive service to families across the region. The RAA delivers the following services on behalf of the partner Local Authorities: Recruitment & Assessment of adopters; Adoption Support & Family Finding At Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool (ALB) you will have the opportunity to significantly impact the future of adoption, and drive innovation within the field. About the Role We're currently looking for an experienced social worker to join our Adoption Support Team within Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool (ALB) which is a Regional Adoption Agency, hosted by Lancashire County Council (LCC). ALB delivers the Family Finding, Recruitment & Assessment and Adoption Support on behalf of the two authorities. As this is a peripatetic position, the successful candidate may also be required to work within the wider ALB service. Our Adoption Support Team provides support to families affected by adoption across Lancashire and Blackpool. This includes support to birth families and adopted adults. Our team offers a range of support from training workshops, social events as well as one to one support to children and their families. We also support adopted adults in understanding their early life history. It is an exciting time for the service, and in particular Adoption Support, where we have created our Adoption Communities and our Therapeutic Service. Our Adoption Community includes peer groups for adopted children, young people and their parents, specialist workshops and developing a peer buddying and mentoring offer, which you will host alongside our team members. In addition to this, you will be responsible for promoting our therapeutic service with our families with potential to co-deliver some of these workshops. This role is a permanent, full-time position, with the possibility of the successful candidate being appointed as a senior social worker practitioner subject to experience, knowledge and skills. About you To be a successful Social Worker in the Adoption team we are looking for someone who ; Hold a recognised social work qualification and is registered with Social work England Hold a Driving Licence and access to your own vehicle Is experienced working with children in need and their families Has a good knowledge of relevant current legislation and guidance For further information on the job role please refer to the job description and person specification attached. Why Join us Working for a Local Authority provides unique advantages and opportunities, and this role is no different. You can expect: Stability and Support: You will be joining a team of social workers and support workers who are supported by two team managers. You will receive regular 1:1 supervision and will have access to the wider Council's full health and wellbeing package. As a Local Authority employee, you will also be supported by the wider Children's Services and have access to regular networking events with colleagues from other Services and Directorates and the opportunity to share learning and good practice between social work teams and Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool. Career Progression: We have developed a clearly defined pathway for career progression and advancement, with opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, pursue further education and training. We offer over 50 internal free training courses, as well as the opportunity to gain formal qualifications up to Degree level, regular development days, conferences, and external training events. Your learning needs and ambition for professional growth will be fully supported and promoted. Job Security and Benefits: Working under the umbrella of a Local Authority, you can rely on our commitment to long-term service through many benefits such as incremental increases of annual leave, and flexible working arrangements. You will have access to external partner promotions, such as Blue Light Card and Viv-Up and a car leasing scheme through Tusker. How to apply To apply for this position please click apply now and complete the application form insuring you attached your CV and supporting statement. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence. If you are interested in joining our team and learning more about these roles please contact Team Managers Lyndsay Winstanley Lyndsay.winstanley@adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk or Sarah Hortop Sarah.hortop@adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk Closing Date; 2 March Interviews; 12 th & 13 th March at County Hall, Preston. If you would like to be part of a progressive and nurturing service, please apply today. You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability. The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab. You must be registered (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with the Social Care Council. Please note Interviews for this post will be taking place on the 12th & 13th March. Please make sure you can be available on these dates. Job Description and Person Specification