Social Work Assistant Team Manager - Adoption Team

Location: Buckinghamshire, UK
Salary: £48,132 per annum
Contract: Permanent/Full-time

About the Role:

Our client is seeking an experienced and dynamic Assistant Team Manager to join the Adoption Team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to provide leadership and guidance in supporting children and families throughout the adoption process, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children in need of permanent, loving homes. You will play a pivotal role in supporting the team to deliver high-quality, child-centred services, managing complex cases, and driving service improvements.

As the Assistant Team Manager, you will work closely with the Team Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Adoption Team. You will supervise social workers, manage workloads, and contribute to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance service delivery. Your role will be essential in supporting the recruitment and assessment of prospective adopters, as well as providing post-adoption support to families.

This is a rewarding role that requires a strong understanding of adoption processes, legal frameworks, and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Team Manager in leading the Adoption Team, overseeing the allocation and management of cases, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.
• Supervise and provide guidance to social workers within the team, offering professional oversight and advice on complex cases, ensuring assessments and reports meet required standards.
• Work with prospective adopters throughout the adoption approval process, ensuring timely and thorough assessments, providing guidance and support, and presenting cases to the Adoption Panel.
• Monitor the progress of family finding and matching children with suitable adopters, ensuring that all actions are in the best interests of the child.
• Provide post-adoption support to families, ensuring they have access to the resources and guidance they need for a successful and stable adoption.
• Ensure that all social work practice within the team is compliant with legislation, regulations, and adoption standards, including the Adoption and Children Act (2002).
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures to enhance service delivery and ensure continuous improvement.
• Manage performance within the team, identifying areas for development and working with the Team Manager to implement training and support as needed.
• Liaise with local authorities, health services, and other partners to ensure a collaborative approach to family finding and adoption support.
• Represent the Adoption Team at multi-agency meetings, Adoption Panel meetings, and court hearings as required.
• Undertake quality assurance activities, such as auditing case files and ensuring compliance with Ofsted standards.
• Act as a point of escalation for complex cases and decision-making, ensuring a child-centred approach to all actions and recommendations.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records are maintained in line with local authority policies and statutory requirements.

About You:

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and motivated social worker with a strong understanding of adoption processes and the ability to lead and inspire a team. You will be confident in managing complex cases, offering supervision, and making decisions that prioritise the needs and welfare of children.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with professionals and families, while also ensuring the team adheres to statutory requirements and best practices in adoption.

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker with a degree in Social Work (or equivalent qualification) recognised by Social Work England.
• Current registration with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience within children's services, with a particular focus on adoption, permanency planning, and family finding.
• Previous experience in supervisory or management roles, with the ability to lead and develo