Overview
You will join a busy and creative team as an adoption childcare social worker and work alongside Family safeguarding social workers who are responsible for children's cases in care proceedings. You will have an active role in permanence planning for children, tracking those whose plans may become adoption, beginning family-finding at an early stage and, where adoption plans are confirmed, becoming the allocated caseworker from the point of Placement Order onwards. You will have responsibility for all family-finding, linking, matching and placement tasks for the child, and will need to be creative and inventive in preparing children for the changes that will affect their lives, as well as undertaking the statutory requirements for looked after children. You will support the child and their adoptive family up to the making of an Adoption Order.
Responsibilities
* Lead family-finding, linking, matching and placement tasks for looked after children.
* Prepare children for the changes ahead and undertake statutory requirements for looked after children.
* Support the child and their adoptive family up to the making of an Adoption Order.
* Liaise with a range of adoption agencies (including our Regional Adoption Agency) and with children’s families, foster carers, education, health and other agencies to maximise opportunities for permanence.
* Act as the allocated caseworker from Placement Order onwards when adoption plans are confirmed.
Qualifications and Experience
* 3 years post qualifying experience in Adoption or evidence relevant adoption experience.
* Great interpersonal skills with children, families and colleagues.
* Knowledge of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and Adoption Support Regulations 2005.
* Willingness to travel anywhere within the UK to place children for adoption.
* Knowledge and experience of the UEA model of introductions.
Working Arrangements
Based in Leigh Town Hall, the Adoption Team is an established group of social workers experienced in adoption and family finding, who are passionately committed to the children we work with. You will be expected to place the child at the centre of everything we do. The Adoption Team operates in a hybrid manner, including working from the office, from home and visiting children in their foster or adoptive homes. Supported by the team manager and advanced practitioner, there are opportunities to develop your practice with regular peer supervision and access to a wide variety of training opportunities to enhance knowledge and experience in all areas of social work, focusing on the changing landscape of adoption.
Salary and Hours
Salary: Grade 9, £39,862 - £45,019 per annum.
37 hours per week.
About the Council
Wigan Council has been voted 'Overall Council of the Year' at the APSE Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment to ensure that your service will be continuous or "unbroken" between supporting organisations. The Progress with Unity plan outlines a place-based movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough and focusing on two place missions: create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.
We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!
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