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- Tasks: Support and recruit foster carers, driving service development and leading initiatives.
- Company: Join Oxfordshire County Council's dynamic Children's Services team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a commitment to equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with three years' experience in Children's Services or Family Placement.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and mentoring within a friendly team.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 49282 £ per year.
Senior Practitioner – Fostering Recruitment – OX5 2BPNumber of Positions: 1Contract Type: PermanentSalary: £46142 – £49282Working Hours: 37Location: OxfordshireBusiness Unit: Children\’s Services
About Us
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Senior Practitioner to join the Countywide Fostering Recruitment Team. We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and dedicated Social Worker to be part of a dynamic team, driving the recruitment of foster carers and contributing to the ongoing development of the service.
About the Role
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Practitioner to support prospective foster carers through recruitment, assessment, training, and beyond championing the vital role of foster carers across Oxfordshire.
Our team is friendly, supportive, and committed to high quality practice, consistently receiving excellent feedback from the fostering panel. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone dedicated to the recruitment and retention of foster carers to grow their career. You will contribute to service development, lead new initiatives aligned with departmental policy, and manage your workload independently within legal and procedural frameworks.
About you
We are seeking a qualified Social Worker with at least three years’ post-qualifying experience, ideally within Children’s Services or Family Placement.
A solid understanding of the recruitment and assessment process for foster carers, whether in a Local Authority or Independent Agency setting, is essential along with knowledge of frameworks, legislation, and guidance, and a willingness to further develop your skills.
You should be confident working independently, leading practice areas or projects, and modelling positive leadership within the team.
Experience in supervising or mentoring staff is desirable, and computer literacy is required.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage more complex cases and carry a heavier workload than basic grade Supervising Social Workers, with the potential to step into a development role.
Rewards and benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays).
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x7.
- 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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Senior Practitioner - Fostering Recruitment - OX5 2BP employer: Oxfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Oxfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Fostering Recruitment - OX5 2BP
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and social work community. Attend local events or webinars to meet people who can give you insights or even refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your dedication to fostering and how you can contribute to their team. Your enthusiasm can set you apart!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in fostering recruitment and support.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Fostering Recruitment - OX5 2BP
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the Senior Practitioner role. We want to see how your background in fostering recruitment aligns with what we're looking for!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for fostering shine through! Share specific examples of how you've supported foster carers or contributed to service development in your previous roles. We love seeing genuine passion for the work we do.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the recruitment and assessment process for foster carers. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and frameworks, as this will show your depth of knowledge and commitment to the role.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your genuine passion for fostering and supporting children. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your dedication to making a difference in the lives of foster carers and children.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Senior Practitioner, you'll need to lead initiatives and manage complex cases. Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully led projects or mentored others in your previous roles.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing development opportunities, and the challenges faced in fostering recruitment. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
