Senior Practitioner – Post Adoption

About the role

Senior Practitioner – Post Adoption

Permanent, Full Time

£46,574 to £56,027 per annum

Location: Countywide

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, but we are also delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

The Opportunity

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of adopted children, young people and their families; supporting them to overcome the impact of neglect and abuse. Working together with stakeholders (Adoptive parents, schools, partner agencies and where appropriate frontline teams) in promoting secure attachments and maintaining permanence for children through adoption.

The Senior Practitioner is responsible for the management of their own cases and to support social work staff in the management of complex situations. This will include complex assessment and purposeful intervention. The primary role within the Post Adoption Team is to achieve positive outcomes for adopted children using relationship based, therapeutic, trauma informed practice to enable children to reach their full potential.

To hold and sustain a caseload consisting mainly of Assessments of Post Adoption Support Needs, providing support to adoptive parents and children through direct work and therapeutic interventions that require the post holder to bear the highest standards of professional ability and a considerable depth of knowledge of impact of trauma across the lifespan, attachment theory and relevant legislation.

There will also be an expectation within this role to provide consultation to and support colleagues within the team and wider service and work closely with the Team Manager.

In addition, the role will involve participating in practice leads group, making a positive and proactive contribution to ongoing practice developments and improvements. The role may also require the post holder to deliver training to different stakeholders (adopters, their support networks and other professionals).

The Senior Practitioner manages a complex caseload and provides expert knowledge and coaching for colleagues, to achieve positive change for children, young people and families.

The role requires an experienced social work practitioner, able to manage higher levels of risk, mentor and advise staff, manage performance and deliver improvements. Building strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders is essential.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

Accountabilities

Accountable for assessment of Post Adoption Support Needs, completing and reviewing support plans within the required timescale and undertaking direct work.
Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance
Maintain up to date, accurate and high-quality records of activity on cases. Participate in a range of planning and decision-making forums including case discussions, Support Plan reviews, Resource Panel meetings.
Responsible for working effectively with other childcare professionals and partner agencies to ensure that the needs of adopted children are properly understood and appropriately supported.
Act as a role model and source of professional expertise in relation to current best practice in Post Adoption Support.
Act as a practice lead, contributing to ongoing reflective practice discussions and practice developments within the team, service, and regional alliance (Adopt East).
Act as a Mentor or Practice Educators for social work qualifying course students on practice placements (as appropriate) or Assessor for Newly Qualified Social Workers completing their ASYE if appropriate.
Working with communities, families, and individuals to maximise or promote their personal strengths, social networks, and resources
Hold a caseload of a level of complexity and provide case management, guidance, support and expert advice to social care staff, students, and newly qualified social workers, as and when required.

The Experience You Will Bring

Diploma or Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
Registration with Social Work England as Registered Social Worker
Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS)
Case recording
Demonstrate ability in the application of SW knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.
A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems e.g., Word, SW case recording systems
Required to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends as required.

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 the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is 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’re 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, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

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. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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