Social Worker - Children We Care For

Empowering change - children's social care

Together, we're the moment makers

About the role

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'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 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 Solutions Plus (FSP).

About us

Together, we're the moment makers and we're focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you'll look around and say, "I make a difference". Because we're all creating lasting change to people's lives in Oxfordshire.

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.

Are you in?

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.

About the Role

We've transformed the way we help our frontline social workers get the best outcomes possible for every child and family we work with. We do this through manageable caseloads, great management support, reflective supervision, continual professional development in a learning environment, and unwavering focus on your wellbeing, so that you can always bring your best self to the children you support.

As part of our team, you will:

• Focus on successful outcomes for families using a relational, strengths-based approach.
• Use motivational interviewing to engage and support families with making the changes they need.
• Be supported with individual supervision to promote your wellbeing and professional development.
• Hold a manageable caseload of no more than 18 children as an experienced social worker, to ensure that you have the time you need to spend with the children and families you are working with.
• Have opportunities to continue to learn while you work, by undertaking training, webinars, practice learning events and reflective sessions.

In the Children we care for service, we support children and young people once a decision has been made that children need to live away from their family home. We support children who are subject to S31 and S20 of the Childrens Act 1989.

We support children and young people achieve permanence via Adoption, Special Guardianships and Long-Term Fostering. We also support all elements of children and young people's care plans including preparing them for adulthood.

The young person is at the heart of everything we do.

Rewards and benefits

Culture of flexible working

• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 day's holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to 'buy' additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer's contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.