Consultant Social Worker

Do you see yourself making a real difference in children’s lives?

Can you use your expertise to support families and colleagues to achieve the best outcomes?

Does the idea of joining a forward-thinking, collaborative adoption service excite you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Adoption London South Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Consultant Social Worker to join our amazing team and help make a difference today.

About the Role:

We are looking for a Consultant Social Worker to join our committed, stable and diverse adoption social work teams supporting families for South London children. Reducing race disparity in adoption is a key objective. The successful candidate will be committed to this objective in all aspects of the service delivery. This post would lead on specific areas to support the team including:

• Deputising for the team manager in their absence
• Supporting colleagues by Quality Assuring work to ensure it is of good standard and meets timescales
• Leading on; and coordinating specific areas needed to develop a modern adoption service e.g., contact arrangements, leading on developing and delivering training for partner agencies and supporting Adopters and Birth Parents
• Providing information, advice and guidance to colleagues within the team and to partners across the service in line with our service standards
• Holding a limited case load
• Providing leadership and supervision to direct reports
• Contributing to Periodic Reports
• Representing the service at various meetings and forums
• Contributing to the modernisation of adoption agenda

Opportunities to develop your group work and training skills in preparing adopters and birth families to participate in meaningful arrangements to support the adopted child to have a good sense of self and identity.

The current vacancy is in Post Adoption Support team and it will be important that someone can be flexible and work to meet the needs of the service as they arise. The role is based at Tooley Street but meetings can take place at venues across our region.

About Adopt London South - Regional Adoption Agency

Adopt London South is a forward-looking Regional Adoption Agency working in partnership across 10 South London councils to deliver adoption services. Our aim is to build best practice across South London by providing a range of adoption services for children, adoptive families, birth parents and adopted adults. We are looking for people to join us and commit to building the service to improve outcomes for all those affected by adoption.

About you:

We are looking for experienced and committed people who are:

• Qualified and have completed their ASYE, with at least 3 years' experience
• Experienced in managing staff and leading on projects
• Have understanding of post adoption contact and support
• Skilled at building positive relationships with diverse families and professionals
• Committed to anti-racist and inclusive practice, with a focus on reducing race disparity in adoption
• Confident using Mosaic Case Management systems and Excel spreadsheets
• Knowledgeable in childcare and adoption legislation and statutory guidance
• Open to personal development and keen to develop group work and training skills

Our Offer to you:

Adoption London South (ALS) is a dynamic regional partnership working across 10 South London councils. ALS is committed to delivering inclusive, therapeutic, and forward-thinking adoption services. We are focused on providing high-quality outcomes and have a strong commitment to collaboration, training, and reducing disparities in adoption. As part of our team, you’ll benefit from:

A systemic framework of social work practice

• Starting from 29 days annual leave, a local government pension, and flexible/agile working
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Access to pan-London projects and partnerships
• A culture of innovation and support, that is based in respect and trust

• A manageable case load
• Monthly individual supervision and group supervision
• Training and support

This position required an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at Enhanced - Adults' and Children's (Barred) level.

About the Team:

Our team is supportive, collaborative, and driven by a shared commitment to reducing disparities in adoption, particularly race disparity. We promote a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and innovation, offering staff opportunities to grow their skills in leadership, training delivery, and specialist practice.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Emilia Quaranta at Emilia.Quaranta@southwark.gov.uk.

Additional Information:

Use this space for highlighting key parts of the role:

• Applicants must hold a relevant recognised Social Work Qualification and currently be registered with Social Work England (SWE)
• Hours of work, 36 hours per week Monday - Friday
• This is a fixed term/secondment opportunity from 1st September 2026 until 31st August 2027

Benefits and more information:

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 36 days with continuous service, a generous local government salary related pension, cycle to work and cycle loan scheme, season-ticket loan, confidential wellbeing and counselling support.

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Thursday 11th June 2026.

Shortlisting date: Monday 15th June 2026.

Interview/Assessment date: Monday 22nd June 2026.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

About Southwark:

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Attachments

• Job Description and Person Specification - Consultant Social Worker