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- Tasks: Empower families and children through supportive social work and tailored case management.
- Company: Join Oxfordshire County Council, a leader in children's social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a ÂŁ3,500 welcome payment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with knowledge of safeguarding and relevant legislation.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent learning opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Empowering Change – Children\’s Social Care
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.
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’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 we have the resources to make a real difference to the families we work with – including successful operation of our transformational model Family Support 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 Family Support 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, 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.
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 good understanding 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.
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.
Rewards and benefits
- Welcome and Loyalty payment of ÂŁ3,500.
- Relocation allowance of up to ÂŁ8,000.
- Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Flexible working.
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7.
- 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.
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, 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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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future.
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Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury employer: Connected Local Government
Contact Detail:
Connected Local Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the social care sector, especially those at Oxfordshire County Council. They can give you insider tips and might even refer you for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of safeguarding legislation and the Family Support and Safeguarding model. Show us you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in real-life scenarios.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your motivational interviewing skills! We want to see how you engage with families and support them through change. Role-play with a friend or colleague to get comfortable with the approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your strengths-based approach during the interview. Share examples of how you’ve empowered families in the past, and let us know how you plan to do the same in this role!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see how you connect with our mission of empowering children and families. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing how your background fits into our Family Support and Safeguarding model!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Local Government
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation, guidance, and policies related to children's social care. Familiarity with the Children Acts 1989 & 2004, as well as local Child Protection procedures, will show that you're serious about safeguarding and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Strengths-Based Approach
During the interview, highlight your experience with strengths-based approaches and how you've applied them in past roles. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've empowered families and made a positive impact on their lives.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think of real-life examples where you've successfully managed challenging cases or collaborated with partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a Social Worker, effective communication is key. Be prepared to discuss how you engage with families, chair meetings, and work with other professionals. Show that you can articulate your thoughts clearly and listen actively, which is crucial for building relationships.
