Job Introduction<p><strong>About us</strong><em><br> </em>Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire.</p><p>In our Early Help, Assessment and Prevention Directorate, we’re committed to delivering lasting change, by helping the children, young people, and families of Oxfordshire 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.</p><p>Everyday you’ll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.</p><p>We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of children’s social care.</p><p>We’ve been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted and we continue to strive to do better!</p><p><strong>Are you in?<br> </strong></p><p><strong>About the Role</strong></p><ul><li>The post holder will line manage Social Workers (including NQSWs, Senior Practitioners) and Family Help Practitioners. </li><li>The purpose of this job is to help children, young people and families in need of help and protection with a particular focus on managing Child & Family Assessments and Strategy Discussions/Section 47 Investigations for children newly referred or not currently open to a statutory social work team.</li><li>The post holder will hold supervisory responsibility for some newly qualified social workers supporting and assessing them to meet the requirements of the Council's Assessed & Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme. </li><li>The post has lead responsibility for ensuring that the duty and assessment function in the team is managed safely and delivers outcomes effectively and in a timely way.</li><li>The role has no direct budgetary responsibility. </li></ul><p>The nature of this post will require flexibility to meet urgent priorities as they arise. This may entail some work outside normal office hours on occasion. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude, to undertake a range of tasks in line with the needs of the Service and support other services within the Front Door as and when needed. </p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>About you</strong> </p><p>Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people, and families in need of help and protection? We have a exciting Assistant Management opportunity within the Childrens Assessment Service in the City of Oxford! The post holder will be free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You'll be supportive and energised; you don't accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage. Just as importantly, you will embody our values in everything you do: always learning, be kind and care, equality and integrity in all we do, taking responsibility and daring to do it differently. </p><p>Fundamentally, you'll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we're here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire. </p><p><strong>To apply, you will need: </strong></p><ul><li>Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England,</li><li>Working knowledge of the Family Safeguarding Model and Motivational Interviewing,</li><li>Considerable direct experience of frontline safeguarding social work, assessment working at pace and developing safe plans and interventions.</li><li>Direct experience of the supervision of student social workers, family support staff, and/or social workers. </li></ul><p>Please refer to the job description linked below for a full list of selection criteria. We would love to hear all about your relevant experience and achievements in your application. </p><p><br>Curious to learn more? Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat! Laura Watson-Harrison <a href="mailto:Laura.watson-harrison@oxfordshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">Laura.watson-harrison@oxfordshire.gov.uk</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Our Rewards & Benefits </strong></p><p>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 to support agile working. We offer some of the best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.<br> <br><strong>Some of the things you can enjoy:</strong></p><ul><li>Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).</li><li>Culture of flexible working</li><li>Technology to support agile working where role permits </li><li>Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%</li><li>Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x7.</li><li>Range of family friendly policies.</li><li>Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.</li><li>Excellent learning and development opportunities.</li><li>Explore more here</li></ul><p><strong>Our commitment to:<br> Equality, Diversity and Inclusion</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><br><strong>Our commitment to:</strong><br><strong>Guaranteed Interview Schemes</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><br><strong>Our commitment to:</strong><br><strong>Safeguarding</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><br><strong>Our commitment to:</strong><br><strong>Flexible Working</strong></p><p>We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.</p><p><br><strong>Follow us on Social Media</strong></p><p>Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.</p>