Social Worker – Adoption & Permanence Team

Location: Derbyshire
Closing date: 20 April 2025

An exciting and rare opportunity has become available for a full time social worker within the Adoption and Permanence team within Derbyshire. This follows the recent expansion of the team in our continued journey to excellence. The successful applicant would be joining an established and experienced team led by a manager with extensive adoption experience and an innovative head of service.

Derbyshire County Council’s adoption services are now part of Adoption East Midlands, a partnership of local authority and voluntary adoption agencies operating across the east midlands to improve the prospects for children needing to be adopted.  By working closely together, Adoption East midlands partners can more effectively find the best matches for children across the region.

Derbyshire are looking for a motivated individual who has relevant children and family social work experience. Applicants will need to be qualified social workers with a minimum 1 year post qualification experience. Ideally we would like to appoint a social worker with experience in adoption planning for children although would be interested in social workers who have been involved in adoption plans through court proceedings.

The team is a countywide service with social work staff linked into specific geographical areas of Derbyshire.

If applicants have any questions about the role please contact either Christy Knowles, Team Manager or Lena Ratcliffe, Head of Service via email.

christy.knowles@derbyshire.gov.uk

Lena.Ratcliffe@derbyshire.gov.uk

What can you expect from us?

We value your hard work and commitment, offering a comprehensive package that includes:

  • Achievable case loads
  • Accelerated pay progression
  • Access to training and development opportunities worth over £5000
  • Systemic training equivalent to a Post Graduate Certificate
  • Excellent supervision and a supportive peer network
  • Effective leadership and management
  • Career progression and formal qualifications opportunities
  • Diverse range of cases for a rewarding career
  • Covered DBS fee and Social Work England registration fee reimbursement
  • What rewards and benefits do we offer you?

Enjoy being a part of our team with benefits such as:

  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Flexi time, allowing up to an additional 2 days of leave per month
  • Derbyshire Rewards – Discounts from high street retailers and more
  • Generous annual leave and flexi time scheme
  • Travel expenses
  • Discounts on leisure centre memberships
  • Free car parking at most sites
  • In-house counselling service
  • Occupational Health service
  • Access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Various Employee Networks championing inclusivity across the council

Make a real positive difference in the lives of children and families – join Derbyshire County Council today!

Provisional Interview Date: 28th April 2025