Team Manager - Adoption

As one of three managers spread across the region with responsibility for recruiting and assessing prospective adopters, they will ensure that enquirers receive a timely, helpful response and are prepared for what life as an adoptive parent brings.

Our work is evidenced based and child focussed. As a manager with a focus on assessment we need you to be committed to these principles and ensure that all assessments conclude with clear recommendations that support decision making.

Our key service priorities for 2023/24 include:

To recruit, assess and approve between 85 and 100 new adoptive families
Increase the use of early permanence (fostering for adoption) placements for children
Improve timescales for completing assessments and making successful placements
Launch an improved training offer for prospective adopters, including preparation groups delivered jointly by staff and adoption experienced people
To continue to recruit adopters from an increasingly diverse range of backgrounds and to build on our success in working with LGTBQ+ families

ASE staff are employed by one of the above local authorities under local terms and conditions, and this post is offered on Surrey County Council terms and conditions. The role is based in Woking with scope for working part-time in the office and the remainder at home.

What we're looking for!

Our Team Manager will need to demonstrate commitment to securing permanence for looked after children through adoption, capacity for contributing to ongoing service development and ability to collaborate with local authority and regional adoption agency colleagues.

We're looking for a confident casework supervisor who is able to provide robust management oversight of the prospective adopter journey and assessments of adoption support needs (for families who have adopted their children).

To be shortlisted for interview your CV and personal statement will evidence:

Social work qualification, registration with Social Work England and minimum of 5 years post qualification experience
Commitment to your own professional development and to that of staff you manage
Experience of/ potential to provide supervision to qualified social workers
Knowledge of adoption regulations, statutory guidance, national minimum standards and current social work practice and legislation
Ability to manage data to monitor progress against agreed outcomes
Excellent ICT skills, including proficiency in use of MS Teams

You will also need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle to travel across the Adoption Southeast region.


Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Suzanne Chambers by e-mail at suzanne.chambers@surreycc.gov.uk.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme.

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. We look forward to receiving your application.