Adopt North East is a Regional Adoption Agency hosted by North Tyneside Council. It is a partnership between five Local Authorities: Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, Northumberland County Council, North Tyneside Council and South Tyneside Council.

Since December 2018, Adopt North East has provided adoption services on behalf of the partnership. Adopt North East has responsibility for recruiting, assessing and supporting prospective adopters, for non-agency adoption work including partner adoptions and intercountry adoptions. Adopt North East has primary responsibility for family finding for all children with adoption plans but the five partner Local Authorities retain overall responsibility for children in their care. Adopt North East provides support to all parties affected by adoption, including adopters, adoptive families, adopted adults and birth relatives.

Based in modern offices just to the east of the city of Newcastle, Adopt North East is a great place to work. Adopt North East provides a unique professional opportunity for its 50 or so staff to contribute to outcomes for children across five local authorities, from Haltwhistle to Hebburn, Bensham to Berwick.

Staff working for Adopt North East are employed by North Tyneside Council and enjoy the benefits of being part of the Authority’s Children’s Services, graded Outstanding by Ofsted. This includes a commitment to high quality supervision and management oversight, excellent training opportunities, support for career progression, a modern case management system and agile working solutions.

Adopt North East values applications from candidates ambitious to make a difference to the lives of children and motivated to deliver the best possible adoption services.

The post of Adoption Support Worker (Family Connections Service) delivers direct advice, help and support to those affected by adoption, particularly in relation to maintaining relationships with birth family members. As a result, the post is an ideal opportunity for an experienced Family Support Worker who wants to develop an area of specialism and be enabled to innovate.

Applicants will need to be highly ambitious to make a difference to the lives of children and motivated to deliver the best possible adoption services. They must as a minimum have a Level 3 qualification in Child Care, Health or Community/Youth work, education or equivalent and relevant experience of working successfully with children, young people and their families to achieve specific outcomes.

For an informal discussion about the post, you can contact Kelly Lashley Team Manager of Family Connections Service kelly.lashley@adoptne.org.uk

DBS Statement (delete/amend as appropriate and change to black)

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and an Enhanced DBS disclosure, including Barred List Check, will be required.

Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.

Why North Tyneside Council?

Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.

As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well-being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.

Together, we're crafting a workplace that's built on our values and a shared commitment to making a difference.

If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.

Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody’s business.

Require a reasonable adjustment? If you feel a reasonable adjustment will provide additional support in both the recruitment process and within the workplace, please indicate this to the hiring manager on your application. Declaring a reasonable adjustment will not subject you to any form of discrimination when determining which applicants are successful for interview and employment with us.

Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan

In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency. This declaration set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of the council’s operations, and the borough, by 50% by 2023 and to align to the Government’s net zero target of 2050.

We recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, but we can’t do this alone; we need help from all our residents, businesses, voluntary and community sectors and of course all those who apply and work for us. Together we can make North Tyneside a sustainable place to live and work for everyone in the borough.

To learn more about Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan

Applying

To view more information about the role and view the Job Description please click "Apply" you will be taken to the North Tyneside Careers Portal.

Learn More

For further information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, candidate support, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “work for us" page here Work for us | North Tyneside Council