About the Team: Adoption Central England (ACE) is the regional adoption agency for Coventry, Solihull, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. It has been established over 8 years and delivers services based on a Hub and Spoke model. The Hubs, based in Warwick and Worcester, are responsible for the recruitment, preparation, assessment, matching and initial support to adoptive placements. The Spokes, based in each local authority, provide longer term support to adoptive families and process applications to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) following assessments of need, undertake step‑parent adoption assessments and birth records counselling for adopted adults.
About the Role
We are recruiting for the role of Team Manager in ACE – Adoption Central England covering Warwickshire. This post is based at Shire Hall in Warwick. The North Spoke Manager will be responsible for the ACE Therapeutic Team and for the delivery of a creative and responsive range of adoption support services.
Responsibilities and Expectations
* Support the continued development of the ACE service, embedding DDP‑informed, trauma‑responsive practice that promotes relational safety and emotional wellbeing for adoptive families.
* Lead a team of social workers, ensuring caseloads are allocated and monitored in a way that supports reflective, relationship‑based practice and maintains staff wellbeing.
* Provide strong, compassionate leadership to the ACE Therapeutic Team, supporting the delivery of 1:1 and group interventions including Therapeutic Parenting, Non‑Violent Resistance (NVR) and Therapeutic Life Story Work, underpinned by DDP values and principles.
* Promote a DDP and attachment‑focused lens in all service delivery and ensure interventions are attuned to the needs of children and families.
Key Requirements
* Professional Social Work qualification and Social Work England Registration.
* Experience and understanding of adoption and attachment‑related trauma.
* Proven leadership and team management skills.
* Commitment to DDP principles such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy).
Additional Information
Successful applicants will be subject to a range of pre‑engagement checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The role requires the right to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English to the public. Fluency Duty is required.
Our Offer to you
* Supportive managers who provide recognition and a robust supervision policy focussed on wellbeing and workload.
* Full reimbursement of Social Work England annual fee.
* A Volunteering & Wellbeing Day in addition to generous annual leave and an additional day at Christmas.
* Refer a Friend package for some roles (terms and conditions apply).
Closing Date: 26 May 2026
Interview Date: 19 June 2026
Desirable Criteria
Proven commitment to and/or lived experience of considering and addressing equality, diversity and inclusion issues and anti‑racist practice in the workplace and in service delivery.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce.
#J-18808-Ljbffr