Adoption Central England(ACE) - Regional Adoption Agency

Senior Practitioner Opportunities exist in ACE – salary (£31,371 – £35,934) 

We are looking for enthusiastic experienced social workers who are committed to identifying and supporting adoptive parents for our children who are placed for adoption.  

Set up 2 years ago ACE is the regional adoption agency for Coventry, Solihull, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. ACE provides the full range of adoption services including assessment of adoptive parents, support to adoptive families including therapeutic interventions, independent support to birth families, services to adoptive adults including access to adoption records and step parent adoption work. Based on a Hub and Spoke model. 

HUB – Recruitment, assessment and placement  

The Hub (based in Warwickshire and Worcester) is concerned with the recruitment, preparation and assessment of adoptive parents and matching and placement of children.  Hub social workers also provide support to adoptive families for 12 months after the child is adopted.  

Spoke – Post adoption support 

The Spokes are located in local authority areas (Coventry, Solihull, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire) and undertake assessment of need for therapeutic support, provide social work support to families on a longer-term basis, complete step parent adoption work and provide information and services to adopted adults. 

ACE has a small Therapeutic Team that provides a range of therapeutic parenting courses and individual work with families, which include Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) and Parent Child Attachment Play (PCAP). 

The service is user led and innovative providing training and support groups for adopters, adopted young people and birth parents. 

The work is varied and challenging. ACE are working to embed a culture that embodies the principles, values and skills of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) practice model.This is an approach that appreciates the impact of childhood developmental trauma and which supports adoptive parents to emotionally connect with their child and helps them to build security and trust. We work to promote attachment, successful parenting and positive outcomes for children. Efforts are also made to ensure such approaches are mirrored within the service and reflected in relationships with each other and through partnership working with each local authority. Staff are trained and supported to practice and deliver services that incorporate DDP principles and skills. 

We currently have full-time and part-time posts the vacancies are:  

Spoke Adoption Social Workers - South Spoke based in Worcester or Hereford  

Hub Adoption Social Workers - Hub based in Warwick and South Hub based in Worcester or Hereford  

Therapeutic Social Worker – North Spoke based in Solihull  

For further information please see the Job Description and Person Specification 

Additional Information 

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. 

Previous applicants need not apply 

For further information and an informal discussion please contact: 

Louise Hathaway - Operations manager (Spokes/Therapeutic Team) 

louisehathaway@aceadoption.com 

Melissa Rose - Operations manager (Hub) 

melissarose@aceadoption.com 

In your Personal Statement please state which post and base you are applying for or if you are making a general application and prepared to be considered for any of the vacancies 

Closing date– 22nd September 2020     

Interviews – 5th & 7th October 2020 

To apply for this vacancy please click on the 'Apply' button. 
  
Our method of application is online, please note, CV’s should not been submitted unless asked to do so. 

  
If you are unable to apply using the 'Apply' button please contact the Recruitment Centre on hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk including your contact details and any relevant screenshots. 
  
You will be notified of our shortlisting decision via email, so please check your email on a regular basis after submitting your application. 

As part of being a Disability Confident employer we guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application demonstrates that they meet the criteria for the post. This means the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential in the person specification. 

Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk  and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements. 

Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. Would particularly welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from the BAME community, people with a disability and people from the LGBT+ Community.