Social Worker

• Suffolk County Council 
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Salary: £37,280 - £40,777 plus retention payment of £4000 per annum (pro rata for part time) 
• Hours: 37 per week
• Contract: Fixed term/Secondment up to 12 months

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 

• Collaborate with the Keeping in Touch Team to promote safe and meaningful contact between adopted children and their birth families. 

• Work closely with Consultant and Senior Social Workers to plan and coordinate structures and pathways as part of the Modernising Adoption project. 

• Partner across Children and Young Peoples Services to support and implement changes linked to Modernising Adoption. 

• Manage ongoing casework with adopted children and their adoptive families. 

• Undertake direct work with children to support their emotional and developmental needs. 

• Carry out joint work with childcare social workers where appropriate. 

• Provide expert advice to colleagues on adoption, particularly around direct contact arrangements. 

• Deliver therapeutic interventions, group sessions, and activities to support children and families.

• Make referrals for counselling for adults affected by adoption. 

• Develop and facilitate support services, including groups for adults and children impacted by adoption and Special Guardianship Orders (SGO). 

• Promote and sustain permanence for children through adoption and SGO.

You will need 

A relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration is essential. 

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). 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 

The team provides a county-wide service designed to meet the needs of children. It works directly with children who have been adopted, are under a special guardianship order, in permanent fostering, or linked care. This role also collaborates closely with the stage 2 adoption assessment team to link and match children for adoption. The team is busy, friendly, and highly supportive, bringing creativity and passion to the work they do in supporting children and families. 

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 Rachel Hobbin (She/Her) on

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application. 

How to apply

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

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application. 

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the 'Person Profile' section of the JPP.  

• You should use the Supporting Statement template.  
• Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4. 

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. 

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: or calling If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. 

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 28 December 2025.

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. #LI-Hybrid