Adopt South West is an innovative and supportive regional adoption agency covering Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
Adopt South West is hosted by Devon County Council and is a Regional Adoption Agency providing adoption services for the local authorities of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay councils, with offices across the region.
If you’re looking for a new, exciting challenge and to further your experience and operational skills, Devon County Council offers a vibrant workplace and attractive benefits.
Working for Devon County Council has all the benefits that you can expect from a large employer. In return for the vital contribution that you make, we offer:
- 26 days annual leave per year, pro rata (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays, rising to 30 after five years’ service
- membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme – more information can be found on the Peninsula Pensions website
- access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme – available 24/7 to support you with personal and work life
- flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role)
- discounts and salary sacrifice options (such as annual leave purchase) as well as offers from local and high street retailers through our Vivup employee benefit scheme
Current job opportunities
Independent Adoption Panel Chair for the Adopt South West Adoption Panels
Salary: Set fee paid, £500 per panel
Hours: Variable
Location: This post covers the whole of the Adopt South West region. Adoption panels are held virtually however there are face-to-face training days and meetings throughout the year.
Adopt South West is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team of Adopt South West adoption panel chairs. Adopt South West comprises of five local authorities: Cornwall County Council, Devon County Council, Plymouth Council, Somerset County Council and Torbay Council, all of whom work with the agency to provide services for children who are in need of permanent homes outside of their family and families.
Adopt South West has approximately 6 panels a month across the region and the successful candidate/s will join an existing team of adoption panel chairs.
The adoption panels make recommendations on cases presented which includes adopter approvals, matches between children and adoptive families and adoption plans for relinquished children. The panel has an important function in the quality assurance of reports and ensuring a degree of independent scrutiny over cases presented and reporting back to the agency.
We are committed to providing the best service for adoptive families, children and their birth families. We are determined to drive forward best practice across our region with creativity and innovation, the adoption panel has an important role in this. We are committed to improving our service through listening to the voice of our service users.
The panel chair is paid a fee per panel which is currently set at £500 plus travel expenses (where applicable). This includes all reading of papers and preparation for the panel, chairing of the meeting and finalising of the minutes. The chair manages panel members in the meeting and completes annual reviews of all members alongside the agency advisor. The panel chair is supported in their role by vice chairs.
Who can apply?
Candidates will need a sound knowledge of looked after children and adoption which includes understanding of permanency planning for children, the impact of trauma and loss and the lifelong nature of adoption.
It is preferable to have an understanding of the recruitment and assessment of adopters, adoption support and the process for a child being placed within an adoptive family.
You will also need to demonstrate the excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal with sensitive situations and be able to analyse and explain complex information. You will require excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills and have the ability to identify key issues, problems and solutions and have experience of chairing complex meetings.
For an informal chat please contact Mark Berry, Operation Manager, mark.berry@devon.gov.uk
Key dates
Closing date: Monday 17 March 2025
Interviews: Thursday 27 March 2025
For more job opportunities check back soon!