Social Worker - Children We Care For

Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

Workingtogetherto help Children, young people, and families to thrive.

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the FutureTogether, our ambitious transformation programme which will enable us to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. Were seeking the right people who can help us get there while embracing our value of daring to do it differently, as we continue to strive to do better.

In our Children, Education, & Families Directorate, we do our very best to help children, young people, and families to thrive.We know the importance of building relationships, empowering people, and building on strengths and this is reflected in our restorative, relational practice approach.

Weve been consistently rated as good by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! Oxfordshire County Council is a financially stable local authority which is committed to investing in Children, Education, and Families, to ensure that we have the resources we need to make a real difference to the families we work with.

About the Role

Weve transformed the way we help our social workers get the best outcomes possible for every child and family we work with. We do this through manageable caseloads, great management support, reflective supervision, continual professional development in a learning environment, and unwavering focus on your wellbeing, so that you can always bring your best self to the children you support.

As part of our team, you will:

• Focus on successful outcomes for families using a relational, strengths-based approach.
• Use motivational interviewing to engage andsupportfamilies with making the changes they need.
• Besupportedwithindividualsupervision to promote your wellbeing and professional development.
• Hold a manageable caseload of no more than 18 children as an experienced social worker, to ensure that you have the time you need to spend with the children and families you are working with.
• Have opportunities to continue to learn while you work, by undertaking training, webinars, practice learning events and reflective sessions.

In the Children we care for service,wesupportchildren and young people once adecisionhas been made that children need to live away from their family home. Wesupportchildren who are subject to S31 and S20 of the Childrens Act 1989.

Wesupportchildren and young people achieve permanence via Adoption, Special Guardianships and Long-Term Fostering. We alsosupportall elements of children and young people's care plans including preparing them for adulthood.

The young person is at the heart of everything we do.

About you

We would like to hear from you if you are

• Kindand caring, with anunderstandingof and respect for individuals qualities, abilities, and diverse backgrounds.
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do.
• Always learning, with a passion to grow and develop your skills.
• Willing to take responsibility and contribute to the delivery of Oxfordshire County Councils vision.
• Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive salary from £41,771 - £49,282.
• Welcome andLoyaltypayment 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 wellbeingsupport24 x7.
• 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.

For further information about the role please contact Jo.Melhuish@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Ourcommitmentto: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.

Ourcommitmentto:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a DisabilityConfidentemployer, 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 alsocommittedto helping andsupportingthose transitioning from HM ArmedForcesto civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Ourcommitmentto:Safeguarding

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

Ourcommitmentto: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.

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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).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Oxford

OX5 2BP

Employer's website

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