ACE – Adoption Central England Senior Practitioner Level 3 Salary - £39,152 - £44,075 37 hours per week (part time hours will be considered) There is currently a social worker vacancy in the Adoption Central England (ACE) service – the regional adoption agency for Coventry, Herefordshire, Solihull, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The vacancy is permanent, full time and based in ACE South Spoke –covering Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The Spoke social workers provide post order support offering a range of therapeutic support to adoptive families, letterbox contact, young people’s groups, stay and play and family-based activities, birth records counselling and non-agency assessments, This work is underpinned by adoption best practice and knowledge of attachment, developmental trauma and DDP informed principles. Both the Hub and Spoke social workers provide a wide range of training to adoptive parents to ensure they have the understanding of the impact of their child’s early trauma, develop their insight to therapeutic parenting and support their children to build long trusting relationships in the future. All social work staff are required to develop their understanding and practices based upon the principles of Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP). Social workers will support adoptive families and offer the sort of attuned, empathic, responsive care that builds their child’s capacity to seek comfort, to experience curiosity and to experience joy in this relationship. Key requirements All applicants need to have knowledge of children’s social work and adoption practice and a strong commitment to ensuring permanency, healthy and developmentally enhancing experiences for children. You will be prepared to work in a dynamic and new environment as our aim is to ensure that adopters are prepared and supported to parent in an emotionally connected way, taking account of the therapeutic, developmental and behavioural needs of their children. You are able to work in a multi-agency environment to ensure all the needs of adopted children are met. You are willing to embrace the principles of Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) and will be supported to develop these skills and to bring the attitude of PACE into your relationships with adopters, colleagues and stakeholders. Our aim to support social worker’s capacity for connection, regulation and reflection. You will be committed to supporting adopters help children recover from trauma and loss and to feel secure in their new family, ensuring long-term placement stability and resilience. Finally, you will need to be able to work flexibly and efficiently recognising that ACE is a regional agency and be willing to deliver services on an individual, family and group work basis that on occasions may require evening or weekend working. For further information please see the Job Description and Person Specification. Working for Warwickshire – This is the difference you make Warwickshire County Council is a place where everyone feels valued, included, safe, supported, and welcome. Our people are at the heart of this vision, could you be one of them! At Warwickshire County Council we are committed to ensuring Warwickshire’s economy is vibrant and supported by the right jobs, training, skills and infrastructure. Our people vision for Warwickshire County Council is a great place to work where diverse and talented people are enabled to be their best. Your future matters to us, we provide a generous pension scheme which includes an employer contribution rate of typically around 19 percent per month, to help support your financial security during retirement. The scheme also offers a valuable package of benefits for members and their dependants. To find out more please visit: Warwickshire Pension Fund homepage – Warwickshire Pension Fund. The benefits we offer include agile working, a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government, generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas, and access to Vivup benefits and discounts platform. Click here to view the benefits at Warwickshire County Council. Additional Information Warwickshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Please be advised successful applicants will be subject to a range of pre-engagement checks, including a relevant Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). In accordance with the DBS code of practice and our own policy, should an individual have a declared criminal offence an individual assessment will be completed. Warwickshire County Council adheres to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Fluency Duty is outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. The Fluency Duty for this role is Required. You must be able to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English to the public. For further information and an informal discussion please contact: Nicky Leighton, South Spoke Team Manager - nickyleighton@aceadoption.com Or Louise Hathaway, Spokes Service Manager - Louisehathaway@aceadoption.com Closing Date: midnght, 18th November 2025 Interview Date: 1st December 2025 Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements. Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce. See more