Social worker - Responsible Individual

To manage the adoption agency service in accordance with applicable Statute, Regulations, Statutory Guidance, Adoption Standards, A4U's policies and procedures and good practice.

The Responsible Individual must have:

• a recognised social work qualification, or a professional qualification, at least at level 4, relevant to working in an adoption setting (or children services where the agency provides services to children), together with a qualification in management at least at level 4
• at least two years' experience relevant to adoption within the past five years, and
• at least one years' experience supervising and managing professional staff, and
• in-depth knowledge and experience of child care law and practice, and
• where the agency provides an intercountry adoption service, knowledge of intercountry legislation and practice, the principles of the law and eligibility criteria for the overseas country, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption, the Immigration Rules and immigration legislation that applies to the country in question, and the implications for children who are (a) adopted from outside the British Islands and (b) being taken out of the British Islands for the purposes of adoption.

The Responsible Individual's key responsibilities are:

1. To manage the Agency's processes for potential adopters who wish to be approved for intercountry, adoption.

This will include:

a. Managing complex telephone queries regarding assessment, eligibility and suitability as they relate to agency policy and procedures;

b. Overseeing initial enquiries and interviews and making decisions with regard to the acceptance of the Registration of Interest Form, with reference to agency policy and procedure;

c. Managing the Stage One process, including administration of statutory checks, liaison internally with A4U's Subscriber Services regarding adoption advice and preparation, overseeing the Stage One review and the transition of prospective adopters to Stage Two of the approval process;

d. Managing and supervising sessional social workers undertaking adoption assessments in Stage Two, including quality assuring the Prospective Adopter's Reports, ensuring their compliance and attending the A4U Adoption panel when required to do so;

e. Working collaboratively with the Post Approval Team.

f. Manage and supervise the work of the administrative staff involved in supporting the work of the team

g. Regularly report to the Management Team and attend meetings as and when requested.

2. Part of Management Team with responsibilities for the development of intercountry adoption including:

a. Contribution to the work of Subscriber Services ensuring the delivery of high quality services to subscribers.

b. Line Manager for Senior Practitioner/s or social workers.

c. Attending and representing the agency at relevant meetings in connection with the development and delivery of the intercountry adoption service. To comply with the agency's statutory obligations, including adoption and safeguarding of children.

3. Ensure all relevant recording in accordance with agency policy and procedures and National Minimum Standards;

4. Attend Management Team and other relevant meetings concerned with planning, developing, delivering, evaluating and promoting the wider agency services;

5. Take up such opportunities for training provided by the Agency;

6. Contribute to the review and development of relevant policies and procedures, as required.

7. At all times when carrying out principal responsibilities to maintain financial and budgetary awareness and ensure that operation management approval is obtained for any expenditure outside own delegated maximum.

8. To conform to the security measures of the Data Protection Act 1998 and to the safety of self and others in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and The Fire Safety Order 2005.

9. To share the agency's commitment to equal opportunities.

Additional tasks according to time and special interests

a) Input to training events, within and outside the agency.

b) Talks on behalf of the agency.

c) To be involved in recruitment and advertising projects.

d) Special projects on behalf of the agency.

General

Undertake other work of an equivalent nature and level as directed by management including, but not limited to the following:

Liaise and co-operate with other staff, social workers, management and officers of the Agency, medical and legal advisers, DBS, health and education authorities, government departments, social services offices and external suppliers and contractors.

At all times, when carrying out key tasks, maintain financial awareness and ensure that operational management approval is obtained for any expenditure.

At all times during the employment conform to the security measures of the Data Protection Act 2018 and to the safety of self and others in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Fire Safety Order 2005.

At all times during employment fully support and demonstrate our values in relation to equal opportunities and diversity, as outlined in our Equal Opportunities Statement.