Adoption Practice and Development Manager

Overview

In this role, you lead national adoption practice improvement initiatives across England, coordinating with Adoption England, regional agencies, and local leaders to embed changes into daily social work practice. You will design implementation plans, track KPIs, and support partner agencies through cultural and process change. The role combines strategic project management with hands-on guidance to improve outcomes for adopted people and families. You’ll work in a cross-organisational setting, shaping national delivery while remaining adaptable to local needs.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• annual leave entitlement plus holidays
• West Yorkshire Pension Fund membership
• flexible/home-based hybrid working
• occasional in-person meetings across the country
• disability and diversity friendly recruitment

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage national practice improvement projects across England with multiple stakeholders
• Develop and implement national and local implementation plans for new practices
• Create KPIs and remediation plans to monitor progress and outcomes
• Build relationships with agency leaders, external partners, and stakeholders to drive change
• Lead meetings, prepare reports and presentations for diverse audiences
• Provide professional advice using data and evidence to support decision-making
• Support and lead change management and training initiatives across agencies
• Analyse current practice, identify gaps, and plan bridging actions

Key requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with registration with Social Work England
• Extensive experience in leading and delivering projects involving cultural change and cross-sector collaboration
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with ability to meet tight deadlines
• Proven ability to develop relationships and influence across partners
• Data literacy and ability to prepare and present reports to diverse audiences
• Experience in budgeting, financial planning, and resource management
• Knowledge of adoption and local authority children’s services
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice

• leadership
• influencing and relationship-building
• adaptability and resilience
• project management
• data analysis and reporting
• change management

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