Job Description

Salary: £52,413 - £54,495 pro rata (£31,164 - £32,402 per annum) pay award pending

Hours: Part time / 22 hours per week (flexible working considered)

Contract: 18 months fixed term (with potential for extension)

Closing date: 27th May 2026

Interviews: 5th June 2026

Location: Working across six local authorities with hybrid working arrangements

An Exciting New Opportunity to Shape Therapeutic Practice in Adoption

Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency for, BANES Council, Bristol City Council, Gloucestershire County Council, North Somerset Council, Sth Glos Council and Wiltshire Council. Funded by Adoption England, Adoption West is now in a position to develop a Multidisciplinary Team which will include clinical psychologists and therapeutic social workers. The team will enhance the therapeutic support offered to adopted child and their families in the region.

We are seeking to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced Team Manager to lead this exciting new development. Multidisciplinary teams are part of a national initiative to improve and extend the scope adoption support services, funded for 18 months there is strong ambition at national and local level to extend and embed the role as a permanent part of our service. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on children’s lives by implanting early and timely trauma-informed approaches and enhancing support for adoptive families.

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced social worker manager who thrives on collaboration, creativity, with the leadership qualities to take this initiative forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the overall work of the multidisciplinary team, manging referrals to the team allocating work and managing the overall capacity of the team.
• Deliver specialist, evidence-based interventions for children and adoptive parents, both pre- and post-adoption order, using innovative and engaging approaches.
• Act as the main contact person for the adoption team in relation to complex adoption matters. Using expert knowledge and experience to provide information, guidance and be the final decision maker ensuring the best and most appropriate outcome for service users.
• ake strategic and operational lead in developing the multidisciplinary team and its connections with the wider service and to support the service director in the production of the adoption service plan.
• Maintain up to date data on adoption support services and to provide regular management information reports to the Service Director to assist in Adoption West’s reporting responsibilities to the Adoption Leadership Board.
• Secure the effective involvement of parents/carers, children and young people in the development and evaluation of adoption services.
  

What We’re Looking For:

• Professional Social Work qualification e.g., Degree in Social worker/Dip SW/CQSW equivalent
• Social Work England registered social worker
• Qualification in a therapeutic model/practice relevant to children who experienced development trauma eg, dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP), therapeutic life story work, cognitive behavioural approaches, systemic theory. The level of qualification needs to meet the requirement for the associated professional body.
• Experience of working with parents, children, and families in therapeutic interventions, and particularly those who have experienced developmental trauma and loss
• Strong understanding of adoption and permanency issues
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), consultation, and collaborative working skills
• Commitment to innovation, service development, and positive outcomes
  

Why Join Us?

This role offers a rare chance to shape therapeutic practice within a Regional Adoption Agency and contribute to meaningful change for children and families. You’ll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team committed to continuous learning and improvement.

As well as being part of the Adoption West team, appropriate clinical supervision will be provided.

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:

Alison Lewis, Service Director – alison.lewis@adoptionwest.co.uk

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