Read more

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance up to £8,000

LGPS

Wellbeing support 24x7

Family-friendly policies

Cycle to work scheme

Staff discounts

Job summary

Oxfordshire County Council in Bicester is seeking an experienced Social Worker/Senior Practitioner to lead safeguarding work with children and families. You will manage a diverse caseload using restorative, relational practice and the FamilySupport and Safeguarding Workbook modules.

You will prepare reports for child protection conferences and care proceedings, travel across the region as required, and collaborate with partner agencies to ensure timely, high‑quality services.

Qualifications

• Qualified experienced Social Worker with safeguarding knowledge.
• Ability to travel to visit clients across a wide area.
• Experience with FamilySupport and Safeguarding Workbook modules.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload tailored to experience and ensure children and families voices are heard.
• Work with families using FamilySupport and Safeguarding Workbook modules.
• Prepare reports for child protection conferences and care proceedings.
• Maintain accurate ICT case records and performance data.

Skills

Safeguarding

Motivational Interviewing

Report writing

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester

Empowering Change - Children's Social Care

Together, we’re the moment makers

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 Children, Education, & Families directorate, we’recommitted 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.

We’ve been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we areambitious and want to do even better!We’re a financially stable local authority which iscommitted 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 – including successful operation of our transformational model FamilySupport and Safeguarding.

About the Role

You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the FamilySupport and Safeguarding Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach, ensuring the Assistant/Team Manager is kept fully appraised of significant information.

Most importantly, you will ensure provision of good quality services which integrate government and local guidance and initiatives including, Children Acts 1989 & 2004, WorkingTogether, localChild Protection and Looked After Children procedures, and the DoH, Assessment Framework 2000.

You will be well versed in preparing and submitting written reports as and when required, includingchild protection conference reports and legal reports for care proceedings.You will have the confidence to undertakechild and family assessments for allocated families, investigate allegations of harm or neglect under s47 Children Act 1989, when required.

By efficiently using ICT, you will maintain accurate case records and will be able to record activity in line with key performance management data.

About you

As a qualified experienced Social Worker, you will possess good working knowledge of services relevant to children, young people, families, carers, groups and partner agencies.To succeed in this role, you will have a goodunderstanding of safeguarding, relevant legislation, guidance, policy and procedures, and values and principles of FSP.

It will be hugely beneficial for you to have working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and the cycle of change and their application in social work with children and families.

Yoursupportive and energised nature will also help you chair meetings and proactively engage with partner agencies.

It is essential that you are able to travel to visit clients and attend meetings over a wide area and at short notice.

Rewards and benefits

• 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).
• 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:

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

and

Instagram or visit