• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX – Hybrid working
• Salary: £38,510 – £42,123 per annum pro rata
• Hours: 28 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That’s why, when you join us as a Social Worker, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• Respond to enquiries and requests for the Post-Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Service, primarily by telephone and through electronic communication.
• Provide a calm, sensitive and professional response to parents and carers, including those who may be experiencing significant stress around concerns about their child’s emotional or behavioural needs. Providing families with relevant information, resources and advice and signpost to appropriate in-house, community and specialist services where required.
• Use your assessment and analytical skills to identify appropriate next steps, including referral into the Post-Adoption Service, advice, signposting or access to other services. This will include completing initial enquiries, referrals and assessments to support management decision-making.
• Recognise when families may be experiencing significant difficulties due to the impact of trauma, attachment and developmental needs and respond in a containing and supportive way. Ensuring you identify and appropriately escalate any safeguarding, risk or welfare concerns in line with Suffolk County Council policy and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with professionals and partner agencies, sharing information appropriately and supporting effective multi-agency working.
• Use Suffolk County Council’s electronic recording systems to maintain clear, timely and accurate records of contacts, assessments, decisions and actions.
• Manage competing enquiries and priorities effectively, using good organisational and time-management skills whilst maintaining appropriate standards of confidentiality, information governance and data protection.
• Work as part of a supportive, knowledgeable Post-Adoption Service, in the development of a consistent and accessible front-door service, helping families receive the right response as early as possible.

You will need

• Strong communication and listening skills, with the ability to engage sensitively and confidently with parents, carers and professionals.
• The ability to remain calm, thoughtful and solution-focused when speaking with people who may be anxious, frustrated or distressed.
• Good assessment and analytical skills, including the ability to identify relevant information and distinguish between immediate concerns and longer-term support needs.
• Good organisational skills and clear and accurate written communication skills.
• An understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and information sharing.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency service.
• Experience or knowledge of adoption, Special Guardianship, trauma, attachment or complex family systems would be advantageous, but specialist training and support will be provided.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You will be part of the front door to our Post-Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Service, providing a responsive, welcoming and informed first point of contact for adoptive families and Special Guardianship Order carers seeking advice, support or access to services. You will be joining our modern, updated service and staff members who are enthusiastic, committed and motivated about providing good quality, post order support.

The role is primarily telephone and office/home-based, rather than community-based direct work with children and families. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are available in accordance with service requirements. There will be opportunities to work alongside colleagues across the Post-Adoption Service, contribute to service development and build specialist knowledge in adoption and Special Guardianship support.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Karen Harrison, (she/her), for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01284 758652 or emailing: karen.harrison@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Adoptive parents and Special Guardianship carers may contact the service feeling exhausted, frustrated or worried about a child’s emotional or behavioural needs. What do you think is most important when responding to these enquiries, and why?

2. Describe a situation where you were required to gather information from a range of sources and make an assessment about the most appropriate course of action.

3. Describe a period when you had to manage a number of competing demands or priorities. How did you organise your workload?

4. Give an example of a time when you helped someone access support, services or resources that met their needs.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you’re invited to the next stage, you will have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 8 November 2026.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).