Social Worker - Adoption Tees Valley

Are you an experienced and forward-looking social worker with experience of adoption services for children?

Are you motivated and excited to work within a national and regional system, to continually improve services to children and families?

If so, this could a great opportunity for you!

Adoption Tees Valley
Adoption Tees Valley is the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) serving the 5 Local Authorities of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton on Tees.

The RAA was set up in 2018 and has developed to become an embedded partnership leading on adoption policy, operational delivery and strategy across the Tees Valley region.

ATV is recognised as delivering adoption within exceptional timescales for children in the region. Early permanence practice has become well embedded as a permanence route for children who may require adoption, and the agency offers a highly valued service to those with lived experience of adoption, including children and young people, adoptive families, and birth families.

The dedicated adoption support team have grown and developed, and have an exciting plan of future development, strengthening and supporting the core offer of adoption support to children and families.

About the role
ATV is now seeking to appoint a Social Worker to work within the family finding and assessment teams. 

The role will involve:

• Building positive relationships with children, families and adopters.
• Supporting prospective adopters through every stage of their adoption journey.
• Finding safe, stable and loving adoptive homes for children.
• Working closely with colleagues, partners and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes.
• Providing guidance, encouragement and ongoing support to adoptive families.
• Keeping accurate records while helping to continuously improve services for children and families.

The service is located within Stockton-on-Tees and some out of hours duties will be expected.

About you
We're looking for someone who: 

• Has experience in adoption work and knowledge of the service area, or be qualified under the Adoption Regulations.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.
• Builds positive and trusting relationships with a wide range of people.
• Has strong assessment, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Communicates confidently and works effectively with partner agencies.
• Can manage a varied caseload while maintaining high professional standards.

To learn more about the role and what we're looking for, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification in the Supporting Documents section.

Why join us?
At Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we know that great people deliver great services. That's why we are committed to creating a workplace where employees are trusted, valued and supported.

In return, we offer an attractive benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• A competitive salary 
• Generous annual leave entitlement. Ability to purchase additional leave is also available.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
• Access to a number of other employee benefits including learning & development opportunities, a car lease scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, access to online GP appointments, an employee assistance programme and physiotherapy services.

Think this could be the right opportunity for you?
We'd love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Diane Cox - Team Manager
View phone number on northeastjobs.org.uk
View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk

We expect to hold interviews on 30 October 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified via North East Jobs. 

Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK. 

Important Applicant Guidance 

Accuracy and Use of AI Tools: You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience. 

Application Updates and Communication: All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from ‘View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk’ to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your account. 

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions): This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation. 

Right to Work: All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.  

Council Principles: The Council’s recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.  

Limitations: Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee’s visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.