Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - South Oxon

Oxfordshire County Council; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is looking for a qualified Social Worker to manage caseloads and provide quality services for children and families. The role involves working closely with families using a strengths-based approach, ensuring compliance with legislation. Candidates should have a good understanding of safeguarding practices and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders. Travel is a key requirement for visiting clients across a wide area.

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of relevant services and legislation.
• Ability to chair meetings and engage with agencies.
• Travel to visit clients and attend meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload ensuring children's and families' needs are met.
• Work with families using the FSS Workbook modules.
• Prepare and submit written reports as required.
• Undertake child and family assessments for allocated families.

Skills

Good working knowledge of services for children and families

Understanding of safeguarding and relevant legislation

Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing

Strong communication and engagement skills

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Job description

Together, were shaping childrens 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, were 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. Weve been consistently rated as good by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! Were 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 including successful operation of our transformational model Family Support and Safeguarding (FSS).,

Responsibilities

• You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that childrens and their families voices are heard, and their needs are met.
• You will work with families using the FSS 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, Working Together, local Child 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, including child protection conference reports and legal reports for care proceedings.
• You will have the confidence to undertake child 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.

Requirements

• 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 good understanding of safeguarding, relevant legislation, guidance, policy and procedures, and values and principles of FSS.
• 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.
• Your supportive 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.