Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker – Children’s Assessment Service

The closing date is 27 August 2025

Job summary

In this important role, you will be part of a duty rotation of social workers receiving assessments as they are referred by our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. You will also be responsible for leading Section 47 child protection investigations where they are necessary, all with the support of experienced permanent managers. The role of a children's assessment social worker is critical in ensuring our children and their families receive thoughtful, evidence-based assessments that help them identify and make changes, and where necessary have a well developed further plan of intervention to support lasting changes.

Main duties of the job

This is a key safeguarding role and our social workers are critical in ensuring children and families receive a safe, respectful and child-focused service. Therefore, for such an important role, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration, and have completed the ASYE (or equivalent). You should have experience of working with children and their families in a statutory setting. Most importantly, you should share our commitment to delivering respectful, proportionate and evidence-based assessments that are child-focused and ensures children's voices really make a difference to what we do.

About us

The Childrens Assessment Service provides an early response to support children and their families who may be in need or at risk of harm without our help. The team's purpose is to complete comprehensive child and family assessments in partnership with children and their families, so we can ensure they receive the right help, at the right time. We do this with the support of our multi-agency partners with whom we have developed strong relationships as part of Oxfordshires commitment to the Family Safeguarding Model. As you may expect, a children's assessment team is a fast-paced environment providing a wealth of professional development opportunities and our social worker's have the privilege of supporting families at one of the earliest points of contact with children's services. We maintain a OFSTED rating of 'Good' overall and now we continue to work to ensure children and families receive an Outstanding service.

Details

Date posted

01 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,938 to £43,693 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VPFD17F28C

Job locations

Abingdon

OX14 1AG


Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

The Childrens Assessment Service provides an earlyresponse tosupport children and their families who may be in need or at risk of harm without our help.The team's purpose is to complete comprehensivechild and family assessments in partnership with children and their families, so we can ensure they receive the right help, at the right time.We do this with thesupport of our multi-agency partners with whom we have developed strong relationships as part of Oxfordshirescommitment to the Family Safeguarding Model.As you may expect, a children's assessment team is a fast-paced environment providing a wealth of professional development opportunities and our social worker's have the privilege ofsupporting families at one of the earliest points of contact with children's services.We maintain a OFSTED rating of 'Good' overall and now we continue to work to ensure children and families receive an Outstanding service

About the Role

In this important role, you will be part of a duty rotation of social workers receiving assessments as they are referred by our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.You will also be responsible for leading Section 47child protection investigations where they are necessary, all with thesupport of experienced permanent managers.The role of a children's assessment social worker is critical in ensuring our children and their families receive thoughtful, evidence-based assessments that help them identify and make changes, and where necessary have a well developed further plan of intervention tosupport lasting changes.

About you

This is a key safeguarding role and our social workers are critical in ensuring children and families receive a safe, respectful andchild-focused service.Therefore, for such an important role, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration, and have completed the ASYE (or equivalent). You should have experience of working with children and their families in a statutory setting.Most importantly, you shouldshare ourcommitment to delivering respectful, proportionate and evidence-based assessments that arechild-focused and ensures children's voices really make a difference to what we do.

Rewards and benefits

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too.We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology tosupport agile working.We offer some of the very best learning and development opportunities tosupport your ongoing development.

We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.

  • Welcome andLoyalty payment of £3,500.
  • Relocation allowance of up to £8,000.
  • Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
  • A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
  • Flexible working.
  • Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeingsupport 24x7.
  • 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.
  • Excellent learning and development opportunities.

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 peersupport, education and safe spaces for all.

Ourcommitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a DisabilityConfident 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 alsocommitted to helping andsupporting those transitioning from HM ArmedForces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Ourcommitment to:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council arecommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers toshare thiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Ourcommitment to:Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, jobsharing, 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 on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

The Childrens Assessment Service provides an earlyresponse tosupport children and their families who may be in need or at risk of harm without our help.The team's purpose is to complete comprehensivechild and family assessments in partnership with children and their families, so we can ensure they receive the right help, at the right time.We do this with thesupport of our multi-agency partners with whom we have developed strong relationships as part of Oxfordshirescommitment to the Family Safeguarding Model.As you may expect, a children's assessment team is a fast-paced environment providing a wealth of professional development opportunities and our social worker's have the privilege ofsupporting families at one of the earliest points of contact with children's services.We maintain a OFSTED rating of 'Good' overall and now we continue to work to ensure children and families receive an Outstanding service

About the Role

In this important role, you will be part of a duty rotation of social workers receiving assessments as they are referred by our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.You will also be responsible for leading Section 47child protection investigations where they are necessary, all with thesupport of experienced permanent managers.The role of a children's assessment social worker is critical in ensuring our children and their families receive thoughtful, evidence-based assessments that help them identify and make changes, and where necessary have a well developed further plan of intervention tosupport lasting changes.

About you

This is a key safeguarding role and our social workers are critical in ensuring children and families receive a safe, respectful andchild-focused service.Therefore, for such an important role, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration, and have completed the ASYE (or equivalent). You should have experience of working with children and their families in a statutory setting.Most importantly, you shouldshare ourcommitment to delivering respectful, proportionate and evidence-based assessments that arechild-focused and ensures children's voices really make a difference to what we do.

Rewards and benefits

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too.We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology tosupport agile working.We offer some of the very best learning and development opportunities tosupport your ongoing development.

We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.

  • Welcome andLoyalty payment of £3,500.
  • Relocation allowance of up to £8,000.
  • Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
  • A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
  • Flexible working.
  • Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeingsupport 24x7.
  • 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.
  • Excellent learning and development opportunities.

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 peersupport, education and safe spaces for all.

Ourcommitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a DisabilityConfident 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 alsocommitted to helping andsupporting those transitioning from HM ArmedForces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Ourcommitment to:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council arecommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers toshare thiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Ourcommitment to:Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, jobsharing, 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 on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

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

Abingdon

OX14 1AG


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Abingdon

OX14 1AG


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Sandra Benaite

VPFD17F28C.1286@vacancyposter.com

01865816000

Details

Date posted

01 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,938 to £43,693 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VPFD17F28C

Job locations

Abingdon

OX14 1AG


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