Head of Service Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency
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Oxfordshire County Council Head of Service Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency
The closing date is 22 November 2026
Job summary
About you We are looking for a strategic leader with management skills in an operational setting, who has proven experience in delivering high quality, cost-effective services, with extensive knowledge of adoption and childrens social care legislation and practice. You will bring: A recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England. Knowledge of safeguarding principles and their practical application. Knowledge of performance management systems and quality assurance frameworks. Knowledge of evidence-based practice and service improvement methodologies. Extensive knowledge of budget management and financial planning. Experience of service development, transformation and partnership working.
Main duties of the job
What Youll Be Doing Key responsibilities include: Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the Regional Adoption Agency. Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the Regional Adoption Agency. Be accountable for budget setting, monitoring and delivery of a balanced budget Provide expert strategic advice on adoption and permanence matters. Develop and maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, voluntary adoption agencies, adopters and adoptees Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, national minimum standards and council policies. Ensure equality, diversity and inclusion principles are reflected in recruitment, supervision, management and service delivery.
About us
We are seeking an accomplished strategic leader to join our Childrens Services Directorate as our Head of Adopt Thames Valley. Reporting to the Assistant Director Countywide Services, this role provides operational management of Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency, to ensure the effective service delivery of high quality and cost-effective adoption services that will focus on achieving excellent outcomes for children, adopters and families across the Thames Valley region. You will be responsible for the development, performance and sustainability of the Regional Adoption Agency and will need to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and national minimum standards. The role requires managing and monitoring significant delegated budgets of up to £5 million, to ensure a successful service delivery, while continuously providing a balanced budget and demonstrating value for money. You will work closely with local authorities and the voluntary sector to maintain and grow these partnerships, while leading the service in line with Oxfordshire County Councils values, policies and procedures. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic focused leader, who is compassionate about providing measurable outcomes for children and families, to lead a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Details
Date posted
30 October 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£75,116 to £78,721 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
VP4A06DD4D
Job locations
Oxford
OX4 1JP
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
About the Role
We are seeking an accomplished strategic leader to join our Childrens Services Directorate as our Head of Adopt Thames Valley. Reporting to the Assistant Director Countywide Services, this role provides operational management of Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency, to ensure the effective service delivery of high quality and cost-effective adoption services that will focus on achieving excellent outcomes for children, adopters and families across the Thames Valley region. You will be responsible for the development, performance and sustainability of the Regional Adoption Agency and will need to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and national minimum standards.
The role requires managing and monitoring significant delegated budgets of up to £5 million, to ensure a successful service delivery, while continuously providing a balanced budget and demonstrating value for money. You will work closely with local authorities and the voluntary sector to maintain and grow these partnerships, while leading the service in line with Oxfordshire County Councils values, policies and procedures.
This is a unique opportunity for a strategic focused leader, who is compassionate about providing measurable outcomes for children and families, to lead a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
About you
We are looking for a strategic leader with management skills in an operational setting, who has proven experience in delivering high quality, cost-effective services, with extensive knowledge of adoption and childrens social care legislation and practice.
You will bring:
- A recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and their practical application.
- Knowledge of performance management systems and quality assurance frameworks.
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice and service improvement methodologies.
- Extensive knowledge of budget management and financial planning.
- Experience of service development, transformation and partnership working.
What Youll Be Doing
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the Regional Adoption Agency.
- Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the Regional Adoption Agency.
- Be accountable for budget setting, monitoring and delivery of a balanced budget
- Provide expert strategic advice on adoption and permanence matters.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, voluntary adoption agencies, adopters and adoptees
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, national minimum standards and council policies.
- Ensure equality, diversity and inclusion principles are reflected in recruitment, supervision, management and service delivery.
Rewards and benefits
- Annual leave starting at 30 days (rising with service), plus bank holidays.
- Option to buy additional holiday.
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7.
- Range of family-friendly policies.
- Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.
Skills:See JD.Qualifications:See JD.Keywords:Head of Service Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency Job description
Job responsibilities
About the Role
We are seeking an accomplished strategic leader to join our Childrens Services Directorate as our Head of Adopt Thames Valley. Reporting to the Assistant Director Countywide Services, this role provides operational management of Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency, to ensure the effective service delivery of high quality and cost-effective adoption services that will focus on achieving excellent outcomes for children, adopters and families across the Thames Valley region. You will be responsible for the development, performance and sustainability of the Regional Adoption Agency and will need to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and national minimum standards.
The role requires managing and monitoring significant delegated budgets of up to £5 million, to ensure a successful service delivery, while continuously providing a balanced budget and demonstrating value for money. You will work closely with local authorities and the voluntary sector to maintain and grow these partnerships, while leading the service in line with Oxfordshire County Councils values, policies and procedures.
This is a unique opportunity for a strategic focused leader, who is compassionate about providing measurable outcomes for children and families, to lead a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
About you
We are looking for a strategic leader with management skills in an operational setting, who has proven experience in delivering high quality, cost-effective services, with extensive knowledge of adoption and childrens social care legislation and practice.
You will bring:
- A recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and their practical application.
- Knowledge of performance management systems and quality assurance frameworks.
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice and service improvement methodologies.
- Extensive knowledge of budget management and financial planning.
- Experience of service development, transformation and partnership working.
What Youll Be Doing
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the Regional Adoption Agency.
- Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of the Regional Adoption Agency.
- Be accountable for budget setting, monitoring and delivery of a balanced budget
- Provide expert strategic advice on adoption and permanence matters.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, voluntary adoption agencies, adopters and adoptees
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, national minimum standards and council policies.
- Ensure equality, diversity and inclusion principles are reflected in recruitment, supervision, management and service delivery.
Rewards and benefits
- Annual leave starting at 30 days (rising with service), plus bank holidays.
- Option to buy additional holiday.
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7.
- Range of family-friendly policies.
- Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.
Skills:See JD.Qualifications:See JD.Keywords:Head of Service Adopt Thames Valley Regional Adoption Agency
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Oxford
OX4 1JP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Oxford
OX4 1JP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Recruiter
Jannath Abdul-Jaleel
01865816000
Details
Date posted
30 October 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£75,116 to £78,721 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
VP4A06DD4D
Job locations
Oxford
OX4 1JP
United Kingdom
Privacy notice
Oxfordshire County Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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