About the role
Are you an experienced social worker that’s passionate and determined to ensure children, young people and their families are at the heart of everything you do?
We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our passionate and committed Adoption team delivering high quality effective adoption services in line with the modernising adoption agenda.
As a social worker within our Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA), you will be joining a motivated and highly skilled team who work hard every day to get the best outcomes for children and their families and build on the progress already made in achieving the Ofsted judgement of GOOD with outstanding features in February 2025
You will be expected to invest in the life of the team and develop working relationships which are based on collaborative and supportive methods of working, respecting others’ strengths, celebrating differences and seeking solutions.
We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates so please feel free to email: Louise.Carlile@nctrust.co.uk and they can agree a mutually agreeable time to call you.
What will you be doing?
You’ll carry out clear, timely, and comprehensive assessments in complex situations, using the Signs of Safety framework, along with Secure Base and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) principles.
You’ll develop and progress support plans for adoptive families and for children subject to Special Guardianship Orders, including their Special Guardian families. This will include delivering group work and training.
You’ll apply your understanding of therapeutic parenting and attachment theory to address adoption-related challenges in your work with children and families.
You’ll work collaboratively with professionals across education, health, safeguarding, and other agencies to coordinate and inform multi-agency support.
You’ll engage directly with children, young people, and their parents or carers, using age-appropriate methods to ensure their voices are heard and reflected in assessments and planning.
You’ll deliver training and group sessions, supported by your colleagues, to strengthen the support available to families and professionals.
About you
- You understand the lifelong impact of children’s early life experiences and their long-term resulting needs.
- You understand the legal framework relating to adoption and have knowledge and experience of therapeutic parenting, attachment theory and the application of these to adoption issues in working with families and children.
- You are an excellent communication both verbal and written skills
- You have experience of undertaking assessments of children and families
- You have a degree in Social Work, a valid Social Work England Registration, at least 3 years of post-qualification experience, a driving licence and car.
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
Please note that interviews are currently planned for Monday 11th August or Tuesday 12th August
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:
- SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
- Recruitment Welcome Bonus of £4,000
- Relocation costs of up to £8,000
- Retention bonus payments for established personnel
- 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 all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.
Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.
We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.
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.
Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
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