Salary £27,394 - £37,858 Pay scale: NJC 9-10
Fixed-term contract until January 2018
Part time 3 days a week and location is in Horsham or Worthing
Subject to: DBS, HCPC, medical and references

The Special Guardianship and Adoption Support Team is a countywide service, undertaking needs led assessment, multi-agency liaison and direct work with adoptive and special guardianship families to improve outcomes for the children in their care. The team facilitates letter exchange and supports some families with face to face contact arrangements and we provide direct support to birth parents. The team facilitates family events twice a year, workshops for adults and activity days for adopted children and young people and those living with Special Guardians. We are a busy team located on two main sites: County Hall North in Horsham and Centenary House in Worthing.

We are looking for a clear thinking, creative experienced social worker work as part of the Special Guardianship and Adoption Support Team. The team is developing its role, with opportunities for social workers to work alongside parents and special guardians to help them with therapeutic parenting, to promote the attachments between children and their adopters/ special guardians using techniques including Therapy and to undertake life story work with children and young people. Adoption/ Special Guardianship family support needs are assessed by social workers and SMART plans are agreed prior to work commencing. We also make referrals for families to the Adoption Support Fund.

We are looking for a qualified social worker with strong assessment and interpersonal skills, who can work with adoptive and social guardianship families to increase their resilience and to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care. You will be emotionally intelligent and resilient, as this work can be emotionally challenging.

All our staff are trained in Signs of Safety, attachment and developmental trauma. As a social worker you will also have access to Research in Practice and Community Care Inform and are guaranteed a minimum of 5 days per year CPD, including accredited training leading to Diploma and Masters qualifications.

For more information about working in West Sussex, career progression opportunities and the wider benefits we offer, please see our main recruitment website 

A valid HCPC licence, driving licence and access to your own car are required for this position.
Closing date: 1st March 2017