Practice Supervisor - Social Worker

Oxfordshire County Council; Witney; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking a Practice Supervisor who will be accountable for the quality of social work practice across the team. You will provide professional supervision, guidance and leadership to social workers, occupational therapists, coordinators and students, supporting their development while ensuring compliance with legislation, policies and procedures.

You will model strength-based, person-centred practice and create a supportive and reflective learning environment.

Qualifications

• A recognised professional qualification in social work and registration with the relevant professional body.
• Experience in statutory adult social care and knowledge of Care Act 2014, MCA 2005 and Mental Health Act 1983.
• Experience supervising and developing others with ability to provide constructive challenge and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional supervision, guidance and leadership to social workers, occupational therapists, coordinators and students.
• Oversee complex casework including safeguarding enquiries, MCA work and court-related activity.
• Chair Best Interest meetings and strategy meetings; act as Safeguarding Manager when appropriate.
• Contribute to service improvement through audits and performance management.
• Allocate work, manage demand and prioritisation; authorise use of financial resources within delegation.
• Support recruitment and retention; use data and insight to strengthen practice.
• Work with Team Managers and deputise; participate in operational decision-making.
• Model strength-based, person-centred practice.

Skills

Supervision

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Budget management

Data-driven practice

Education

Social work qualification

Job description

As a Practice Supervisor, you will be accountable for the quality of social work practice across our team. You will provide professional supervision, guidance and leadership to social workers, occupational therapists, co-ordinators and students, supporting their development while ensuring compliance with legislation, policies and procedures. You will model strength-based, person-centred practice and create a supportive and reflective learning environment.

You will hold responsibility for overseeing complex casework, including safeguarding enquiries, Mental Capacity Act work and court-related activity, offering professional oversight and challenge where required. The role includes chairing Best Interest meetings and strategy meetings, acting as Safeguarding Manager when appropriate, and contributing to service improvement through quality assurance activity such as audits and performance management.

Alongside practice leadership, you will support the effective management of the service by allocating work, managing demand and prioritisation, and authorising the use of financial resources within agreed delegation, ensuring responsible use of public funds. You will work closely with Team Managers and deputise when required, contributing to operational decision-making and continuous improvement. The role also supports recruitment and retention activity and uses data and insight to strengthen practice and performance.

You will hold a recognised professional qualification in social work and be registered with the relevant professional body. You will bring substantial experience of working in statutory adult social care, with a strong understanding of relevant legislation including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Mental Health Act 1983.

You will have experience of supervising and developing others, with the confidence to provide constructive challenge, professional guidance and motivational leadership. You will be calm under pressure, adaptable and solution-focused, with strong communication and decision-making skills. An understanding of budget management and the ability to balance risk, resources and outcomes is essential.

You will be committed to strength-based practice, professional development and continuous improvement. Post-qualifying training such as Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor or Approved Mental Health Professional, or a willingness to work towards one of these, is desirable.