Oxfordshire County Council

Part-time Social Worker - Adopt Thames Valley

The closing date is 12 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a highly motivated Social Worker to join our Berkshire Adoption Team.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Recruitment, assessment, training andsupport of prospective adopters at all stages of the adoption process.
  • Family finding and matching of children in the care of partner local authorities with prospective adopters.

The Team is very friendly and supportive, as well as being hard-working and very committed to adoption work.This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism.

Main duties of the job

We are ideally seeking a social worker with three years post qualifying experience in relevant work settings, such as within childrens Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills. The applicant will need to demonstrate that they understand the permanency planning process, the needs of children who require an adoptive placement, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

About us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency. ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,220 to £45,091 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

VP5389DB33

Job locations

Woodley

RG5 4UX


Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency.ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly motivated Social Worker to join our Berkshire Adoption Team.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Recruitment, assessment, training andsupport of prospective adopters at all stages of the adoption process.
  • Family finding and matching of children in the care of partner local authorities with prospective adopters.

The Team is very friendly and supportive, as well as being hard-working and very committed to adoption work.This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism.

About you

We are ideally seeking a social worker with three years post qualifying experience in relevant work settings, such as within childrens Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills.The applicant will need to demonstrate that they understand the permanency planning process, the needs of children who require an adoptive placement, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

Rewards and benefits

As part of our team, youll benefit from:

  • Vivup benefits platform
  • Vivup highfive recognition platform
  • Cyclescheme (for eco-conscious commuters)
  • Electric vehicle lease scheme
  • Discounts at local retailers
  • Salary finance options
  • Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
  • A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution rate

Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce.Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.

If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: jo.neale@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency.ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly motivated Social Worker to join our Berkshire Adoption Team.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Recruitment, assessment, training andsupport of prospective adopters at all stages of the adoption process.
  • Family finding and matching of children in the care of partner local authorities with prospective adopters.

The Team is very friendly and supportive, as well as being hard-working and very committed to adoption work.This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism.

About you

We are ideally seeking a social worker with three years post qualifying experience in relevant work settings, such as within childrens Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills.The applicant will need to demonstrate that they understand the permanency planning process, the needs of children who require an adoptive placement, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

Rewards and benefits

As part of our team, youll benefit from:

  • Vivup benefits platform
  • Vivup highfive recognition platform
  • Cyclescheme (for eco-conscious commuters)
  • Electric vehicle lease scheme
  • Discounts at local retailers
  • Salary finance options
  • Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
  • A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution rate

Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce.Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.

If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: jo.neale@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Woodley

RG5 4UX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Woodley

RG5 4UX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Sandra Benaite

VP5389DB33.1286@vacancyposter.com

01865816000

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,220 to £45,091 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

VP5389DB33

Job locations

Woodley

RG5 4UX


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