Designated Social Care Officer

Empowering change - children's social care
Together, we're the moment makers

Are you an experienced Social Worker or Manager with a wealth of experience in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities? Are you passionate about enhancing partnership collaboration?

If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

About Us

This is an exciting time to join our team, as together, we're shaping children's services 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'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.

We've been consistently rated as "good" by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! We're a financially stable local authority, 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.

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, nurtured, 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 services.

Are you in?

About the Role

We are committed to enhancing our strategic multi-agency approach to SEND in Oxfordshire. As part of this initiative, we are very pleased to introduce the role of Designated Social Care Officer.

This unique opportunity will be the lead officer for Social Care in the Local Area SEND Service. The post holder will strategically lead in framing and developing social care elements of the Local Area SEND Services strategy across the local authority.

The role acts an an important conduit of information between parents/children and Local Area SEND Services, ensuring that both parents and students voices are represented and acted upon. The post holder will also gather and represent views from across children's social care and the Moving into Adult Service.

You will work alongside the DFE and NHS England and will directly inform and influence the direction of wider Local Area SEND Services through intelligence and insight.

You will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of both social care processes and the SEND reforms agenda, and will look to strengthen practice and generate solutions.

Key to success will be the ability of the post holder to negotiate with and influence others build and nurture effective partnerships, working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders across the LA and exploiting opportunities for co-production with partners within and outside of the Local Authority including health partners.

About you

You're 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.

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.

You will need to share the commitment of all our partners to create "Better Outcomes Together" for children living in Oxfordshire with SEND.

To apply, you will need:

• A Social Work degree, or equivalent (e.g. Social Work, Education or Law) and valid registration with Social Work England.
• Proven experience in social care, and a strong understanding of the legislative requirements of the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and Children and Families Act (2014).
• Relevant experience of working with children and young people with SEND and their families.
• You will be a confident practitioner, who is able to constructively and proactively challenge practice, systems and processes to improve the outcomes for children with SEND living in Oxfordshire.

Please refer to the job description attached for a full list of criteria for this position. We would love to hear all about your relevant experience and achievements in your application.

Rewards and benefits

Link to our benefits site: Benefits of working for children's services

Oxfordshire County is bordered by Northamptonshire and Warwickshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the east, Berkshire to the south, and Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to the west.

How we work - our agile working package means you will be able to strike the perfect balance between home and work.

Your career journey - with a range of different support opportunities you will be able to grow and progress in your job.

Financial perks - you will enjoy competitive rates of pay, a great pension scheme and a host of other helpful financial benefits.

Family friendly - whatever their age, we will make sure you can put your family commitments first.

Rewards and Recognition - with savings on your favourite retail offers and our staff recognition scheme you will be rewarded for the great job you do.

Health and Wellbeing - we will give you plenty of opportunities to make sure your health and wellbeing is in tip-top shape.

The environment comes first - our plan to make Oxfordshire a net-zero county by 2030 means we take our commitment to the environment seriously.

Our commitment 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 peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

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.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

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.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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