Adoption Social Worker

Posted 14th Mar, 2024
Location
Islington
Salary/rate
£44,862 – £48,063
Hours
Full-time
Working arrangements
Blended
Contract type
Permanent
Closing date
7th Apr, 2024
About the role

Adopt London North is the Regional Adoption Agency for 6 North London boroughs - Haringey, Enfield, Camden, Hackney, Barnet and Islington, who are our host borough. We are responsible for family finding and transition planning for children with an adoption plan (Family Finding team); recruiting, assessing and supporting prospective adoptive parents (Recruitment and Assessment team); and providing adoption support to adoptive families, adopted adults and birth parents (Adoption Support team). To deliver these services we work in three specialist teams, plus an Adoption Panel service. We work with our other Adopt London partners to develop and share best practice and opportunities for families effected by adoption in London.

The current role is available in the Adoption Support team, with future opportunities to change teams. The Adoption Support team is busy supporting adoptive families, adopted adults and birth families, individually and in working with groups. 

Islington are committed to a Motivational Interviewing model for working with staff and service users and part of your interview will be a role play that will help you show your skills in this area.

If you would like to discuss the role, please email Teresa Stratford (Service Manager) in the first instance Email: teresa.stratford@islington.gov.uk and a phone discussion can be arranged. 

About you

You will need to have good experience of working in front line children’s teams, some of which would have been working with children with a plan of adoption. You will need a commitment to support families and empathy for all the challenges they can face. You will need to be a qualified and experienced Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.

About Islington

Islington is one of the most vibrant areas of London, with a diverse population, a unique cultural identity and a wealth of open spaces, theatres, museums, cinemas, and galleries.

Our Children’s Social Care services have been rated by OFSTED as Outstanding and praises an “unwavering commitment to improving and enriching the lives of children and their families”

A snapshot of what we offer our social workers:

  • Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
  • A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
  • Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
  • Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
  • Excellent local government pension scheme
  • Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
  • Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!
  • Lead authority for Step Up to Social Work
  • Social Work training through Social Work Apprenticeship Degree
  • Highly valued Assessed and Supported Year in Education through Islington ASYE Academy.
  • Access to Management and Coaching Apprenticeships
  • Pathways Program for first time and experienced managers
  • Opportunities to train as a Practice Educator

For more information and a discussion about working for London Borough of Islington, contact our Principal Social Worker Wynand McDonald, Principal Child and Family Social Worker at Wynand.mcdonald@islington.gov.uk.