Adoption Support WorkerNHS

Job summary

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The Support Worker post will operate within the adoption support service. The support worker will answer enquiries, provide support and undertake initial assessments for adoptive families contacting the Adoption Support Helpdesk. The role will include supporting families in crisis, giving information about adoption support services and processes, signposting to external services (including education and health), giving advice about therapeutic parenting, liaising closely with the Senior Practitioner and Manager on a daily basis and undertaking allocated tasks as required.

Main duties of the job

• A levels / National Diploma or equivalent experience/skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work on own initiative against deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven negotiation skills especially when working with customers who may be upset and stressed.
• Self-sufficient in planning and organising own work, including recording, storing and retrieving required data and information.
• An awareness of Government initiatives in relation to Adoption best practice and procedures.
• To be an active team player by contributing to the development of the service, ensuring the customer is always at the centre of such developments.
• Good I.T. skills.
• Fluent in English.
• A driving licence and use of a vehicle as travelling around the region is required.
• Experience of working with children and/or families

Job description

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

As duty worker, to act as the front door for adoption service. Using problem solving skills to respond to all enquiries that come into the Adoption Team, providing advice and support in situations that may not be straight forward.

To assist social workers in the assessment of the support needs and services required by adopted children and their families; This involves gathering appropriate information from parents, children and other professionals in relations to the childs needs and family functioning. Using skills to engage with families often at a time of crisis to develop an understanding of the issues impacting on the family. Analysis and decision making with regards to the assessment will be jointly with a social worker.

Using knowledge of the impact of trauma, separation, loss and adoption to work in a collaborative way with families encouraging and supporting them to establish approaches to parenting that improves and enhances the quality of family life and attachments.

To undertake direct work with adopted children and young people to promote their sense of identity, understanding of their life story and contribute to their wellbeing.

To complete case records as required in accordance with the councils recording policy and procedure.

Contributing to multiagency meetings to consider the eligibility of service users need. Working with partner agencies using creativity to develop packages of support that are responsive to the needs of individual children and families.

To take responsibility for the direct provision of support to families identified by the team manager. This may involve the post holder identifying any safeguarding concerns or where childrens needs are not met and reporting accordingly to the Team manager in accordance with the councils procedures. To report regularly to the supervisor and/or team manager.

To understand and support the different needs of members of the birth family and the adoptive family when facilitating and or supervising direct contact; always promoting the best interests of the child.

To identify and disseminate up-to-date information of relevant services, legislation and research to adopters in the Adoption West region.

To take a lead role in facilitating the Letter Box arrangements between adopted families and special guardians and birth families. This involves managing challenging situations and negotiation skills between all parties.

To assist in the organisation and facilitation of social and support events and training for adoptive families to promote their access to learning, networking and peer support.

Attend and contribute to team meetings. Take on duties and tasks to assist the development of the service.

Assist in the Home finding process for the children requiring adoption placements, by liaising with social workers and carers to write profiles of children, highlighting their particular needs.

Support birth parents/relatives on a 1-1 and group basis whose birth children have a plan of adoption

Ability to travel on a daily basis and to undertake visits to families in their own homes or in other settings

To undertake such other duties in respect of each case as directed by Adoption Managers.

About us

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