Adoption Service Manager

Job Description

You will be part of a wider Senior Leadership Team working to the Head of Service for ASE alongside Service Managers for Family Finding and Adoption Support. We offer agile working and an inclusive work environment and would be happy to discuss what this means for you.

Rewards and Benefits
26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
Additional financial package (further information below
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About our service
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a well regarded Regional Adoption Agency which provides adoption services on behalf of four local authorities, further to the retirement of the current postholder.

We have recently restructured into three specialist services in order to enhance and improve practice and performance, and in this role you will lead on Adopter Recruitment and Pre Adoption Order Support across the region.

You will be leading our Recruitment, Assessment and Placement (RAP) team, well supported by our established Team Managers, Senior Social Workers, Social Workers, Business Support colleagues and adoption case workers.

You will be responsible for ensuring that we maintain and build upon our existing recruitment performance leading on our sufficiency strategy, ensuring that we have the right adopters for the children in our region who need families. You will be committed to evidence based and ethical practice, ensuring that practice in your service is of a high standard and timely and that the needs of all stakeholders are understood and met to the best of our ability.

In addition to leading the RAP team, you will be the principal manager for all ASE staff members who are employed by Surrey County Council. You will be familiar with working within a matrix management approach, collaborating with other line managers to ensure that our staff are well supported and well managed in their work.
You will report to the Head of Service for the Regional Adoption Agency and will have a link manager in Surrey County Council's Children and Families Services.

About the role
As a Service Manager, you will oversee a group of team managers to engage and recruit, assess and support prospective adopters. In addition to the recruitment of adopters, the RAP service provide supervision and support to early permanence and adoption placements, support the family finding team in linking and matching children with the right adoptive families, ensuring pro-active support as approved adopters make their transition to parenthood up until the point of the Adoption Order.

As a skilled leader, manager and communicator you will ensure the service is focused on delivering quality services within budget and to time that provide the right outcomes for children, young people and their families.

You will work with the wider senior leadership team to ensure that the ASE specialist teams work together to provide an integrated and coherent well managed service which welcomes the voice and influence of our many stakeholders and works hard to meet their varied and sometimes competing needs.

Our team members are enthusiastic and supportive, committed to the provision of a quality service for children, their carers and parents. We are looking for people with similar qualities to join us to continue the good work already being done.

Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
Substantial experience of adoption practice with recent experience in a management position in an adoption or family placement setting.
A close understanding of the regulatory framework and of implementing this operationally
Experience of working to improve services.
Ability to promote a learning environment where peoples skills and strengths are used and developed
Ability to build and promote a culture of performance, personal responsibility and accountability
Effective interpersonal and written and oral communication skills

It is important to us that our practice is family focused and always considers how best to work with parents to meet the best interests of their children and potential children.
Surrey Children's Service provides training to ensure competence and professional development. ASE provides ongoing training and development opportunities for all staff. We will ensure that you receive a full induction and monthly supervision.

Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For more information please contact Michael Wilson, Head of Service, ASE Michael.wilson@eastsussex.gov.uk

The job advert closes on Monday the 13th of January 2025 with shortlisting planned for Friday the 17th of January 2025 and interviews to follow.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

ASE covers a large geographical footprint and you will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.