Job Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team of social workers who recruit, train and support adoptive households. The team also manages stepparent and non‑agency adoption enquiries and assessments. The team is based at County Hall, Chelmsford; however the adoption agency covers the entire county and therefore supports adoption events countywide. As part of the Essex Adoption Agency, a member of the Adopt East Alliance – a regional adoption agency consisting of 8 local authorities and 2 voluntary adoption agencies – we work together in an alliance to promote best practice in adoption recruitment, family finding and adoption support. As Team Manager, you will lead a dedicated team, developing their capabilities, promoting best practice, and holding them accountable for performance and continuous improvement while contributing to strategic development with the Service Manager, ensuring the service remains responsive and adaptive to change.
Accountabilities
* Act as a role model and source of professional expertise in relation to current best practice in adoption.
* Uphold statutory requirements of both adoption and children’s legislation, plus any departmental requirements.
* Manage the recruitment of prospective adopters during enquiry and stage 1 of the adoption assessment process.
* Lead and facilitate adoption recruitment activity and information events, which may include some weekend working. This includes face‑to‑face recruitment events and digital/social media recruitment activity.
* Work with adopter training partners in the delivery of training and adoption support.
* Manage stepparent and non‑agency enquiries and assessments.
* Contribute to and lead the adopter recruitment strategy.
* Work in partnership with Adopt East colleagues to support regional recruitment activity, stage 1 and assessment processes.
* Work closely with commissioning colleagues and independent therapeutic providers to implement the provider commissioning framework.
* Maintain an up‑to‑date record of activity on case files in line with the department case recording policy.
* Promote and comply with safeguarding procedures.
* Record details of assessments on the system; collate cohort and trend data, monitor outcomes and respond to data requests.
Why Work With Us in Chelmsford?
* Working in a highly motivated, innovative and supported team.
* A commitment to securing best outcomes for children.
* Essex offers a flexible working policy programme that, where possible, fits with family life and work life balance.
* Training and workshops on the context of adoption.
* Support to workers, including regular supervision, group supervision, workshops and reflective practice.
* Based in modern, friendly and pleasant offices in Chelmsford with good transport links to motorways.
Qualifications
* A Diploma or Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
* Registration with Social Work England.
* Evidence of practice capability in accordance with current professional standards (e.g. Professional Capability Framework, Knowledge & Skills Statement).
* Capability to lead a team in a social care environment.
* Experience of working with children and families, including essential adoption work.
* Experience of assessment and recruitment of adopters (or similar preferred).
* Experience of working with external providers preferred.
* Court experiences preferred.
* Analytical report writing skills essential.
* Understanding of the impact of neglect/abuse and trauma on children.
Additional Requirements
* Open to change and ready to innovate; keen to join an environment where you can stretch professionally, make an impact individually and deliver positive outcomes collaboratively.
* Flexible working is required, with some Saturday working for recruitment events.
* Ability to write in‑depth analytical reports.
* Mobile across a wider operational area within Essex and beyond, including driving or alternative mobility arrangements.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or alternative means to meet the mobility requirements of the role are essential.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we are committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, Essex is the ideal place to develop your career or contribute to the local community. In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements. Please speak to our recruiters if you require reasonable adjustments during the process. We are also committed to interviewing all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. After securing your role within Essex County Council you will receive many employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
We value integrity and ethical behaviour. We ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
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