Hours: Part time (22 hours per week)
This is not a Bath & North East Somerset Council Vacancy
Permanent contract working 22 hours per week. This post is based in Adoption West’s Bristol Office however covers BANES, Bristol North Somerset, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Council areas.
Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency and Registered Voluntary Agency providing adoption services for Wiltshire, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Councils. Adoption West operates out of three hubs across the region, with offices based in Bristol, Gloucester and Trowbridge, although currently due to Covid-19 staff are working from home and providing services virtually in most cases.
This is an exciting time to join Adoption West’s Birth Links Team as we build on our first year of operation and progress our commitment to improve performance and develop innovative best practice.
Birth Links is the team within Adoption West, who provide support to Birth Parents and Adopted Adults. We are looking to recruit a part-time, three days per week, Birth Links Support Worker.
Main Duties:
As a Support Worker, you will provide independent ‘counselling’ services to birth parents/relatives who have children in the adoption process or who have children that have already been adopted. This will include emotional support, signposting to a range of other services, giving and clarifying information about the adoption process and occasionally supporting birth relatives with direct contact. You will need to be able to travel around the region and so must be able to drive and have access to your own vehicle.
You will need:
- 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
- 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 ICT skills
- Fluent in English
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
- If you have the experience, skills, knowledge and enthusiasm we are seeking and are looking for a new challenge then we look forward to hearing from you.
Application Details:
For an informal discussion please contact Deputy Team Manager, Claire Jarvis. Email: Claire.Jarvis@adoptionwest.co.uk
Additional Information:
Membership of a professional body or association. The job holder is responsible for payment of all professional fees, memberships, registrations or subscriptions and no reimbursement or contribution towards these will be provided by Adoption West
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will require an Enhanced DBS check before appointment can be confirmed
Confidentiality: Employees are expected to maintain the required level of confidentiality at all times in relation to their work
To apply for this position please click – https://jobs.wiltshire.gov.uk/details#/reference/AW00008
Closing Date – 05/02/2021
Interviews are scheduled for 12th February 2021.
Safeguarding Statement:
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children. We follow safer recruitment practices and appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
