Social Worker – Adoption Assessment Team

Southwark | Locum | £37.52 per hour | Hybrid Working

Southwark Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join the South West Adoption Assessment Team. This role covers a number of local authorities across South West London and focuses on assessing and supporting prospective adopters throughout their adoption journey.

You will assess adopters based in and around South London, particularly within South West London boroughs such as Sutton, Achieving for Children, Merton, and Croydon. The service is committed to reducing delay for children, particularly Black and minoritised ethnic children, especially boys who wait the longest for permanent families.

In this role, you will:

  • Deliver training to prospective adopters
  • Undertake comprehensive adoption assessments
  • Present assessments and prospective adopters at panel
  • Support adopters through the matching process and adoption journey
  • Contribute to permanency planning for children
  • Deliver support groups and training as part of Adopt London strategies
  • Contribute to projects aimed at reducing delay and race disparity in adoption
  • Work collaboratively across multiple local authorities

What You’ll Need:

  • Social Work England Registration
  • Social Work Qualification and completed ASYE
  • Minimum 3 years’ post-qualified experience
  • Experience in permanence planning and adoption work
  • Strong assessment and analytical report-writing skills
  • Ability to build positive relationships with diverse families and professionals
  • Commitment to anti-racist and inclusive practice
  • Knowledge of childcare and adoption legislation and statutory guidance
  • Experience using Mosaic case management systems
  • Strong organisational skills and confidence facilitating group work

Why Sheldon Phillips?

Because we actually listen to what you need. We’re not just here to fill roles—we’re here to find you the right fit in a supportive and rewarding team. That’s why social workers trust us to help them take the next step in their careers.

If you want to know more about this Social Worker – Adoption Assessment Team role in Southwark, give Ellis Russell a call on 01635 226350 – let’s have a chat!

And don’t forget – if you refer a friend and we place them, you’ll get £300 as a thank you! (Terms and conditions apply).