Assistant Team Manager - Children's Services (South Oxfordshire)

Job Introduction

Empowering change - children’s social care 

Together, we’re the moment makers

About the role 

You will line manage Children’s Practitioners & Social Workers while also deputising for the Team Manager, when required. You will also supervise Newly Qualified Social Workers, supporting and assessing them to meet the requirements of the council's Assessed & Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme. In addition, you will manage the Team’s duty and assessment function.

Large part of your role will focus on supporting county safeguarding and child protection policies and ensuring that they are adhered to. You will play a lead role in improving practice, including the quality of assessments and care planning within the team, leading team meeting discussions and workshops, and updating staff on practice developments and research findings.

You will be responsible for the allocation and timely progression of new referrals into the team via the duty system, under the direction of the Team Manager.

About you 

As a qualified Social Worker, you will possess knowledge of services relevant to children, young people, families, carers, and groups, and knowledge of how to access relevant services. You working knowledge of the Family Safeguarding Model and Motivational Interviewing will be beneficial in ensuring timely progression of work with families within the FSP model, ensuring direct reports work in accordance with the model modules and attend group case supervision as required.

You should have considerable direct experience of safeguarding social work including child protection planning and legal casework., including knowledge of relevant law, legislation, guidance, policy and procedures in relation to children and families’ social work.

 
About us

Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of Oxfordshire residents.

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).

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

Curious to learn more? Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat! 

Anne Lewis, Team Manager (Children's Services)
E: Anne.Lewis@Oxfordshire.gov.uk 

Our Rewards & Benefits 

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working. We offer some of the best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
 
Some of the things you can enjoy:

• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (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.
• Explore more here

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

  
How to apply 

To apply, please complete our online application form.

Application requirements:

• Explain how you meet the job role requirements and selection criteria as specified in the job description attached.
• Attach a cover letter and CV to your application form.
• If you encounter any difficulties while completing the form, please contact the Recruitment Team using the Application Enquiry Form on the Home Page. 

We look forward to receiving your application!

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.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk