Social Worker – Adoption in Merseyside
Job Title: Adoption Social Worker – Recruitment & Assessment Team
Employer: Liverpool City Council
Service: Adoption in Merseyside (AiM)
Location: Liverpool / Merseyside
Host Authority: Knowsley Council
Job Type: Full-time
Working Arrangement: On-site
Salary: £41,177 – £53,051 per year
Closing Date: Sunday 27 September 2026, midnight
Interview Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Interview Type: Face-to-face
About the Role
Liverpool City Council is recruiting an Adoption Social Worker to join the Recruitment & Assessment Team within Adoption in Merseyside (AiM).
Adoption in Merseyside is a regional adoption agency covering Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral. The successful candidate will be seconded into Knowsley as the host authority.
The service provides a comprehensive adoption service, including recruitment, preparation and assessment of prospective adopters, matching, support, training and direct work with children and young people.
This role is particularly suited to an experienced social worker with a background in Children’s Social Care and, preferably, adoption experience.
About Liverpool Children’s Services
Liverpool City Council’s Children and Young People’s Services has recently undergone an Ofsted ILACS inspection, with three of the four judgement areas receiving a Good outcome.
The council says inspectors recognised improvements in social work practice, workforce stability, reduced workloads and stronger relationships between practitioners, managers, children and families.
The service uses the “Our City, Our Children, Together” practice model, which focuses on collaborative working and achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and their networks.
Key Responsibilities
As an Adoption Social Worker, you will:
- Work within the Recruitment & Assessment Team to support the delivery of adoption services.
- Recruit, prepare and assess prospective adopters.
- Contribute to adoption matching and ongoing support.
- Undertake direct work with children, young people and families.
- Provide timely and effective interventions.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with partner organisations and multi-agency professionals across Merseyside.
- Apply a relationship-based approach to social work practice.
- Use appropriate and innovative intervention techniques.
- Apply safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, regulations and relevant frameworks.
- Help ensure children are able to grow up safely and reach their full potential.
Requirements / Person Specification
Applicants should:
- Be a qualified Social Worker.
- Be actively registered with Social Work England (SWE).
- Have experience working within Children’s Social Care.
- Ideally have previous experience in adoption.
- Have a strong understanding of children’s safeguarding legislation.
- Have detailed knowledge of adoption legislation, statutory guidance, regulations, frameworks and processes.
- Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be able to develop effective relationships with partner agencies and professionals.
- Have experience undertaking direct work and delivering interventions.
- Be committed to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
Salary & Benefits
The salary for this position is £41,177 to £53,051 per year.
Liverpool City Council also offers a range of benefits, including:
- At least 27 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years’ service.
- Option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Agile working opportunities where appropriate, under the council’s Flexibility First approach.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Option to join the AVC Scheme.
- Learning, training and career development opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Programme and wider health and wellbeing support.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Travel Pass Scheme.
- Drive Time salary-sacrifice car lease scheme.
- Enhanced family-friendly leave policies.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Employee Volunteering Scheme.
- Medicash.
Working Pattern
This is a full-time, on-site position based within the Adoption in Merseyside service.
The interview will be conducted face-to-face.
Visa / Right-to-Work
Liverpool City Council states that eligibility to work in the UK will be checked during the final stages of recruitment.
Candidates must either:
- Already have the right to work in the UK before starting employment; or
- Meet the Home Office criteria for visa sponsorship.
Candidates who require sponsorship are advised by the employer to check their eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.
The advert does not state that sponsorship is guaranteed for this particular vacancy. Applicants requiring sponsorship should therefore check the role and their individual eligibility carefully before applying.
Application / Selection Process
Applications are made through the employer’s recruitment system, Tribepad.
Although the vacancy is advertised through LG Jobs and other recruitment websites, applicants will be directed to Tribepad to complete their application.
Applicants should ensure that their Tribepad profile includes their:
- Full personal details
- Employment history
- Education history
- Relevant qualifications and experience
If shortlisted, interview invitations and other recruitment communications will be sent to the email address registered on Tribepad. Applicants are advised to check their inbox and spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.
For an informal discussion about the role, applicants can contact Elaine Jamieson, Recruitment and Assessment Team Manager, Adoption in Merseyside at elaine.jamieson@adoptioninmerseyside.co.uk.
Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants who require them under the Equality Act 2010.
Deadline
Closing date: Sunday 27 September 2026 at midnight
Shortlisting date: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Interview format: Face-to-face
Liverpool City Council states that it reserves the right to close the vacancy early. Applicants are therefore encouraged to submit their application well before the closing date.
FAQs
What is the salary for the Adoption Social Worker role?
The advertised salary is £41,177 – £53,051 per year.
Where is the job based?
The role is based in Liverpool/Merseyside, with the successful candidate being seconded into Knowsley as the host authority.
Is this a full-time position?
Yes. The vacancy is advertised as a full-time role.
Do I need to be a qualified social worker?
Yes. Applicants must be qualified Social Workers and actively registered with Social Work England.
Is adoption experience required?
The advert states that applicants should have experience in Children’s Social Care and preferably experience within adoption.
Does Liverpool City Council offer visa sponsorship?
The advert states that candidates must either already have the right to work in the UK or meet the Home Office criteria for visa sponsorship. It does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific vacancy, so applicants requiring sponsorship should check their eligibility before applying.
When is the closing date?
The closing date is midnight on Sunday 27 September 2026. The employer may close the vacancy earlier.
When are interviews taking place?
Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 13 October 2026 and will be conducted face-to-face.
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