Foster Carer Independent Review Officer (FC IRO)

Job Introduction

About Us

Working together to help Children, young people, and families to thrive.

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which will enable us to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice.  We’re seeking the right people who can help us get there while embracing our value of ‘daring to do it differently’, as we continue to strive to do better.  

In our Children, Education, & Families Directorate, we do our very best to help children, young people, and families 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! Oxfordshire County Council is 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.  This includes the successful operation of our transformational model Family Solutions Plus (FSP).[HC1] 

About the Role

This is a very exciting new role within Oxfordshire County Council. We are looking for a dynamic Qualified Social Worker who has experience with safeguarding children, particularly in relation to their care planning combined with a detailed knowledge of the Fostering Service, including National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations. You will be building relationships with the Foster Carers, the Fostering Service and the wider network. As a result you will need to be able to appropriately recognise good practice, as well as concerns and have the ability to challenge appropriately, using a strengths based approach. You will be chairing complex meetings and so experience of having done this previously will be essential to the role. 

About you

We would like to hear from you if you are…

• Kind and caring, with an understanding of and respect for individuals’ qualities, abilities, and diverse backgrounds. 
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do.
• Always learning, with a passion to grow and develop your skills.
• Willing to take responsibility and contribute to the delivery of Oxfordshire County Council’s vision.  
• Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement.

Rewards and benefits

• Competitive salary from £57178 - £60486  per annum 
  • 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).
  • Flexible working. 
  • 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

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sam Heathcote on workforcsc@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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, full time and 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