Adoption Support Social Worker

Salary: Grade K £39,862 - £41,771 per annum, plus 8% market supplement (subject to review)

Hours: Part time / 18.5 hours per week

Contract: Up to 12 months

Closing date: 3rd September 2026 at 5pm

Interview date: 17th September 2026

Location: Flexible. An office base in one of the offices within the Adoption West region (Bristol, Gloucester or Trowbridge) and working from home

Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency and registered Voluntary Adoption Agency commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Councils. Adoption West provides a range of adoption services including:

• The recruitment and assessment of prospective adopters
• Family finding services for children requiring permanency via adoption 
• Post adoption support services
• Services to birth family and adopted adults 

This is an exciting time to join Adoption West as we build on the solid foundations already in place and our ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted. As part of an internal restructure, our functions going forward will be service led across the region, rather than office/hub based.

Temporary Adoption Support Social Worker for up to 12 months to support work on the Adoption Support Helpdesk which covers the Adoption West region.

Main duties:

• Providing advice and support to adoptive families 
• Assessing the support needs of adoptive families
• Working with children and families with complex needs
• Providing therapeutic support to families either directly or via ASF applications

You will need:

• A Social Work Qualification (degree or equivalent) and current registration with Social Work England
• Experience of working as a Social Worker or having had a student social work placement with children and families
• An understanding of early life experiences such as trauma or abuse and the impact they can have on children and young people throughout their lives.
• The ability to analyse complex information to make recommendations and informed decisions
• The ability to work both as part of a team, sharing knowledge and managing cases
• The ability to use your own initiative and work independently
• Experience of managing your own caseload and working to deadlines

Adoption West:

• is an organisation with a wealth of experience and has a learning culture committed to enabling the post holder to grow and develop in their role.  
• provides support through supervision and training. 
• offers flexible working arrangements, including job shares
• provides a Local Government Pension Scheme and access to the Child Care vouchers scheme.

Additional Information:

• This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will require an Enhanced DBS check before appointment can be confirmed.
• Confidentiality: Employees are expected to maintain the required level of confidentiality at all times in relation to their work.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact:

Anjali Gupta: Anjlai.gupta@adoptionwest.co.uk or Anita Huggins: anita.huggins@adoptionwest.co.uk.

All candidates applying for Adoption West roles are assessed against the Behaviour Principles and Values during the interviewing process.

Role Description