Job Introduction
Job Title: Senior Practitioner - Family Finding Team
Salary: £42,839 plus £6,443 market enhancement, progressing to £47,181 plus £6,279 market enhancement per annum pro rata
Hours: 18.5
Location: Based in Stevenage with travel across Hertfordshire
Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services
About the team
This is an exciting opportunity to join a welcoming and supportive team which embraces diversity and inclusion.
Our team sits within Hertfordshire’s Specialist Services and we are also proud members of Adopt East, Regional Adoption Alliance. The team is made up of senior practitioners, child practitioners and Matching Co-Ordinator.
Our primary role is to achieve permanence for children with a plan of adoption. Our team undertakes direct work with the children to prepare them for the transitions to their adoptive placement using University of East Anglia Model.
We proactively family find within both Adopt East and nationally. The role requires a good awareness of child development, developmental trauma and its impact on children and adoptive families.
About the role
Family Finding Social Workers need to be confident in preparing Court statements and giving evidence in Court. Our work is varied and you may be involved with other case work and roles across the Adoption Service such as facilitating training, representation at Adoption Panel and supporting families post Adoption Order.
About you
We invite applications from experienced social workers, who want to develop and progress their career of working with children and families through adoption.
This is a varied and challenging role, and we are looking for candidates with the following skills and attributes:
- A qualified social worker including Social Work England registration
- 3 years post qualification experience, including Safeguarding
- Knowledge and experience of relevant Adoption regulations, legislation and related research
- Experience of direct work with Children
- Experience in Court work
- Good evidenced based assessment, analysis, and report writing skills
- A commitment to diversity and inclusion
- A full driving licence and access to a car – the ability to travel around the County and out of county
- Flexibility around evening and weekend working, alongside hybrid working
Desirable:
- Facilitating group work and training is an advantage.
Why join us?
We are a supportive, established team committed to high‑quality practice. New colleagues receive a thorough induction, including co‑working, and access to the tools, resources and supervision needed to succeed.
We prioritise ongoing professional development, offering regular training and opportunities to expand your skills in areas such as matching children, supporting adopters, direct work with children and carers, and using the University of East Anglia Transition Model. You will also contribute to care planning, sibling assessments and close partnership work with Adopt East.
We encourage staff involvement in focus groups and working parties, giving you the chance to help shape and improve the services we deliver.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sharon.Hardwick@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Interview date: w/c 13/4
This job role is within the Health and Social Care, level 11 job profile. Please locate this via:
Job profiles - Health and social care
To read more about our service and opportunities available visit our Childrens Social Work page
Benefits of working for us
Additional Benefits for Social Work roles include:
- Monthly Market Enhanced Payment
- One off £1k Welcome Payment* (terms & conditions apply)
- Lease Car Scheme
- Up to £6k relocation expenses (terms & conditions apply)
- Hybrid working model
- 5 Days additional annual leave entitlement
- SWE Registration Fee paid
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.