Workforce Development Officer

Adoption England brings together Regional Adoption Agencies across the country, supported by a national team hosted by Leeds City Council. Our aim is to strengthen adoption practice and improve support for children, adopted people and families. We are looking for a Workforce Development Officer to help design and deliver high-quality learning for the national adoption workforce. Working with Adoption England's senior leadership team and project managers, you will create, deliver and evaluate learning events that reflect our strategic priorities. You will collaborate with colleagues across agencies, contribute to leadership development, support national conferences and use evidence and technology to ensure our learning offer is inclusive, accessible and impactful. Hybrid working principles apply to this role and it will require regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, as well as occasional planned travel across the country.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications.

Interviews are likely to be placed early November 2026.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's or Adults' Barred List, as applicable, will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but are not limited to, women, carers, veterans, LGBT+ people, ethnically diverse people, disabled people and care-experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement Scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship, you will usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deliver, monitor and evaluate learning events for Adoption England, based on the Adoption England Strategy and programmes of work.
• Deliver learning and development events using evidence-based practice on a regional and national basis.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across programmes of work, including Regional Adoption Agencies and partner organisations, to support practice development and implementation.
• Contribute to the development of management and leadership development programmes.
• Lead or contribute, as required, to projects, conferences and learning events to improve learning and development.
• Develop strategies, programmes and resources for identifying and meeting learning and development needs, using available technology where appropriate.
• Commission training from approved Leeds City Council suppliers in line with Leeds City Council financial regulations.
• Plan and manage quality assurance processes, including analysing data and feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of learning programmes.
• Undertake and contribute to the evaluation of learning events, processes and plans, maximising the use of Microsoft 365 and other available technology.
• Promote and market learning and development opportunities using available technology.
• Promote a culture of learning and development that supports Adoption England's values and priorities.
• Support Programme Managers in building a culture of learning and development across Adoption England.
• Work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities to meet the needs of the service and team.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as required.
• Continuously improve professional practice through reflection, feedback and continuing professional development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, recognising when to seek support and advice.
• Contribute to the overall aims and objectives of the service through attendance at meetings, training and events as required.
• Comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion and work in an anti-discriminatory manner.
• Challenge incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and discrimination appropriately and in line with policy.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the role.

Qualifications

The successful postholder will be expected to undertake a relevant training qualification, such as NVQ Level 3/4 in Training and Development or PTTLS, if not already held. Working Context Postholders will work flexibly from home and at locations across Leeds and nationally as required. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meet the needs of the team and fulfil the requirements of their role. The hours are mainly worked Monday to Friday. However, occasional work outside normal office hours may be required to meet service needs.

Shortlisting Criteria

• Experience of workforce development, learning and development, training design, and the development and delivery of engaging learning opportunities within adoption, children's services or a related field.
• Strong partnership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and build credibility with colleagues, leaders and stakeholders across organisations.
• Knowledge and understanding of national policy, legislation and practice developments relating to children, families and adoption.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, with an understanding of how bias and inequality can impact children, families and the workforce.

If you are passionate about developing the adoption workforce and want to contribute to national improvement, we would love to hear from you.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering an excellent employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement, plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.

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