Adoption Community and Peer Support Coordinator

Job Introduction

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. The Regional Adoption Agency is hosted by Oxfordshire County Council and so your contract and work conditions will sit within Oxfordshire County Council.

About the Role

The Permanence Support Team is a specialist team providing post-order support to adopters, and their children, adults affected by adoption, and to birth families. 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. You will be joining a supportive team of aspirational, creative and committed Social Workers who strive to provide the best possible outcomes for adopted children. This role will be dedicated to support the needs of our families and children in relation to peer support and groups.

Your responsibilities will include:

• To support, organise and attend events and support groups across the Adopt Thames Valley region.
• To maintain the continuous development of our peer support offer.
• To assist the Team Managers, ensuring the highest standards of service are provided.
• To ensure that services to users are delivered and developed according to Adopt Thames Valley policies procedures and guidance.
• To ensure that services are planned and delivered in a way that maximises participation and reflects Children’s Rights in relation to services being provided and in the way that Children, Young People and Families are worked with.

About you

Are you a passionate, person with experience of adoption or events coordination? Are you interested in different ways of working in this field?

We are ideally seeking an employee with an interest and drive to support families and children who have experienced adversity.

The applicant will need to demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the needs of adoptive families, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.
Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Rewards and benefits

• Vivup benefits platform Vivup highfive recognition platform
• Cycle scheme (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

Our commitment 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, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
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If you have any questions, please contact: catherine.macleod@oxfordshire.gov.uk