Adoption Team Manager - Permanent
| Posting date: | 13 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £53,460.0 to £58,959.0 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £7,500 after 3 yearsw and 1 day |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 February 2026 |
| Location: | Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS1 1AB |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 4760944_1768315431 |
Summary
Your new role
Southend-on-Sea City Council are looking to appoint a permanent, full-time, adoption experienced Team Manager.
**This post also offers £7,500 R&R payment after 3 years and 1 day**
The team's goal is to provide a first-class professional service by being responsible and efficient for children, young people and their families. The newly appointed Team Manager will manage and develop the overall adoption service, maintain and build links with statutory and voluntary organisations to contribute to the publicity which promotes the work of the adoption agency.
Managing Senior Practitioners, Social Workers and Children & Family Workers, you will help to provide a service that assesses and supports adopters, family find for adoption placements and adaption services. You will lead, motivate and review the performance of the team, ensuring that staff supervision and appraisals are undertaken, identifying skill gaps or training needs.
The successful candidate will ensure that both the safety and best interests of the children are paramount and that child protection procedures are followed.
You will need to be energetic, inspirational, passionate and resilient about achieving positive outcomes for the children and young people that require service from the team.If you have the experience, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and are looking for a new challenge, then we look forward to hearing from you.
Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.
What you'll need to succeed
To be shortlisted, you must be able to work in the UK, have a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England and have completed your ASYE.
It is essential that you have 4 years+ experience of working with children and families, especially adoption, as well as experience of providing fostering and/or adoption services and have worked at Advanced Practitioner level. You need knowledge of methods of social work intervention, child protection, looked after children, fostering and adoption services.
You need knowledge of relevant legislation/regulations and of National Minimum Standards and Regulations for Adoption and Fostering services.
What you'll get in return
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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