Assistant Team Manager - Children's Assessment Service

Oxfordshire County Council; Banbury; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking an Assistant Team Manager for the Children's Assessment Service. This dynamic role involves leading social work efforts to safeguard vulnerable children and families, offering managerial support to social workers, and requiring significant safeguarding experience. Ideal candidates will embody a spirit of innovation and a commitment to public service excellence.

Qualifications

• A Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Considerable direct experience of frontline safeguarding Social Work.
• Ability to manage competing demands and maintain focus on best interests of children.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate and oversee the social work response for children referred to the Front Door.
• Line manage a pod of Social Workers and act as Duty Manager.
• Provide clear advice and proportionate decisions.

Skills

Autonomy

Reflective

Analytical

Education

Social Work qualification

Tools

Family Safeguarding Model

Motivational Interviewing

Job description

About Us

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.

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.

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.

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.

We’ve been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted and we continue to strive to do better!Are you in?

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people, and families in need of help and protection? We have exciting Assistant Team Manager opportunities within the Children's Assessment Service

As one of our Assistant Team Managers, you will be responsible for co-ordinating and overseeing the social work response for children referred to us at the Front Door. You will line manage a pod of Social Workers, acting as Duty Manager, overseeing allocations for incoming section 17 and section 47 referrals, provide case and individual supervision to Social Workers and QA their completed work. Making threshold decisions is part of daily life in the Children's Assessment Service and you will provide clear advice and proportionate decisions in how we respond.

The role is face paced and your energy and enthusiasm will be key! You will be part of a wider management team, and with the support of your Team Manager and our skilled social workers, you will be at the forefront of safeguarding our most vulnerable children and families.

About you

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.

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.

To apply, you will need:

• A Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England
• Considerable direct experience of frontline safeguarding Social Work, including assessment team working, and developing safe plans and interventions.
• You will be able to work with autonomy and ideally will have management experience gained from a statutory child protection service. Experience of supervising of student social workers, family support staff, and/or social workers may also be considered.
• Youwill be able to manage competing demands, be reflective and analytical, and proportionate in yourdecision-making whilst maintaining a clear focus on the best interests of children and vulnerable adults.
• Working knowledge of the Family Safeguarding Model and Motivational Interviewing.

To apply, please visit:Assistant Team Manager - Children's Assessment Service | 21 July, 2025 | Jobs and careers with Oxfordshire County Council