Adoption Panel Adviser

What will you be doing?

In this varied and influential role, you will: 

• Provide professional advice and guidance to the Adoption Panel, Panel Chair and Agency Decision Maker on legislation, regulations, policy and practice relating to adoption.   
• Quality assure reports and documentation presented to panel, ensuring high standards and supporting social workers and managers to address any identified gaps.  
• Attend panel meetings, contributing your professional expertise and ensuring key issues are identified and considered during discussions.  
• Work closely with the Panel Administrator to coordinate agendas, panel membership and statutory requirements, ensuring panels are appropriately constituted and able to conduct business effectively.  
• Support continuous improvement by identifying practice issues arising through panel activity and feeding these back to managers and teams.  
• Oversee the quality and timely production of panel minutes and documentation in line with statutory timescales.  
• Arrange induction, development and training opportunities for panel members, helping maintain an informed and effective panel.  
• Provide specialist advice to practitioners and managers on panel readiness, adoption processes and regulatory requirements.

About you

 To be successful in this role, you'll be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England and bring substantial experience working within children's social care, alongside a strong understanding of adoption and fostering services 

You'll also bring: 

A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with social work England.   

Strong knowledge of current legislation, regulations, statutory guidance and national policy relating to adoption and children's services.  

Experience of working within fostering and adoption services, including the application of adoption and fostering regulations and national minimum standards.  

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and influence a wide range of stakeholders.  

Strong professional judgement, analytical skills and the confidence to provide constructive challenge where necessary.  

Effective negotiation skills and the ability to work independently while managing competing priorities and deadlines.  

A commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and delivering the highest standards of practice for children and families. 

 This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check 

Our benefits

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.

We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
• A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
• Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
• Subsidised town centre car parking scheme

About us

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make and every action we take is guided by our commitment to delivering high-quality services that make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northamptonshire.

We know that our people are our greatest strength. Our workforce is at the centre of our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to do the best job of their lives every day. We foster a culture built on kindness, collaboration and trust, where achievements are recognised, ideas are welcomed and innovation is encouraged.

We are proud of the positive impact we make together and delighted that our work has been recognised by Ofsted, with an Outstanding rating for Leadership and Management and Good ratings across Help and Protection, Children in Care and Care Leavers.

At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation.  We are a Disability Confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers, who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking organisation, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust could be the place for you. 

Supporting Children – A Career That Matters