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- Tasks: Support families and children, ensuring their voices are heard and needs met.
- Company: Join Oxfordshire County Council, a stable local authority dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, relocation allowance, and a comprehensive pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with knowledge of safeguarding and family support principles.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Together, we are 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 are 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 ambitious and want to do even better! We are 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 the successful operation of our transformational model Family Support and Safeguarding.
Main duties of the job
- 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.
- You will ensure provision of good quality services which integrate government and local guidance and initiatives including the Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together, local Child Protection and Looked After Children procedures, and the DfE assessment framework.
- You will prepare and submit written reports as required, including child protection conference reports and legal reports for care proceedings.
- You will undertake child and family assessments, investigate allegations of harm or neglect under s47 Children Act 1989 when required, and maintain accurate case records using ICT to meet key performance management data.
About us
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 the values and principles of Family Support and Safeguarding. 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, energised nature will 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 £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 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 is 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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Curious to learn more? Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat!
Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester employer: Oxfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Oxfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in social work roles, especially those at Oxfordshire County Council. They can give you insider tips on the interview process and what the team values most.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for situational questions! Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the Family Support and Safeguarding approach. We want to hear how you've empowered families and built relationships in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for safeguarding! Be ready to discuss your understanding of relevant legislation and how it shapes your practice. We love candidates who are genuinely committed to making a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities and updates there, so keep checking back!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester
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 much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Social Worker role. Highlight your relevant experience with safeguarding and family support, and don’t forget to mention any knowledge of legislation like the Children Act!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Keep your written reports and application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with key legislation like the Children Act 1989 & 2004 and local safeguarding procedures. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your understanding of the framework you'll be working within.
✨Showcase Your Strengths-Based Approach
Prepare examples of how you've used a strengths-based approach in your previous roles. Highlighting your ability to empower families and build on their strengths will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Relationship-Building Skills
Think of specific instances where you've successfully built relationships with families or partner agencies. This role is all about collaboration, so showcasing your interpersonal skills will be crucial.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Be ready to discuss how you would handle real-life scenarios related to child protection and family assessments. Practising your responses to potential case studies can help you articulate your thought process during the interview.
