Occupational Therapist (West Oxfordshire)

Job Introduction

About Us

Do you want to help us radically change the way we deliver social care?

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which is enabling 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 Adult Services, this means we're daring to do adult social care differently by supporting Oxfordshire’s residents to stay fit, healthy and independent in their communities for as long as possible through a strength’s-based approach.  Working with local NHS services, care providers and community and voluntary groups, we make the most of what each of our strengths are, pulling in the same direction, and united by one shared vision.

This means we keep the people we support at the heart of all that we do. And that works. By listening to people and building on the positives in their lives, we can work collaboratively to help them live the lives they want with the right support around them.  

It is something we call the Oxfordshire Way and we can’t do it alone – our proactive, positive approach to social care gives everyone the opportunity to make a bigger difference. If we’re doing a good job, we don’t stand still – we’re ambitious and we’re always striving to do better; it’s in our DNA.

About the role and team

The West Adult Social Care Team covers the rural west of Oxfordshire in market towns and villages. You will be working alongside social workers and co-Ordinators who work together to secure the best outcomes for the people we work for.  

Our team empowers you to deliver bespoke solutions that supports people to achieve their desired goals and outcomes.   

We do this through our commitment of giving you the autonomy to do your role, to create new ideas and ways of doing things, with the support from our stable leadership team, regular group and 1:1 supervision and the opportunity to develop and progress across many different areas of Adult Social Care. Working for Oxfordshire County Council opens up a world of opportunities across varying facets of Social Care including, but not limited to leadership, clinic assessment, prison work, seating, moving and handling, and assistive technology.  

No one day is ever the same in Oxfordshire County Council. Whatever your career aspirations are in adult social care, we’re here to support and empower you to lead your growth from the front. 

We continue to be a financially stable local authority and our investment in Adult Services has created a number of vacancies; we are looking for Newly Qualified and Qualified Occupational Therapists and Newly Qualified and Qualified Social Workers to join us and help shape and deliver our teams; it’s a really exciting time to join us!

You will be working alongside Social Workers within a locality team where you will:

• Empower people in the community to identify their strengths and desired outcomes, embracing new ideas and ways of doing things to improve and maintain their independence.
• Utilise a strength-based approach to promote people’s wellbeing to help them achieve their desired outcomes.
• Support people and carers to ensure their voice is heard through advocacy where necessary.

About you

 You are…

• Driven to do things differently to find creative solutions that problem solves with the person, rather than for the person.
• Willing to take responsibility, you are a self-leader with the ambition to lead your community in different areas of adult social care. 
• 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, and with your strong communication skills you work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome.
• Always learning, with an excellent working knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance, you have natural entrepreneurial qualities. 
• Passionate about following the professional standards of RCOT and HCPC. 

Our Rewards and Benefits

• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays - Option to ‘buy’ additional days
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Relocation package up to a maximum of £8,000 to cover reimbursement of expenses for newly appointed employees (conditions apply in line with council policy)
• Regular monthly formal and informal support and supervision
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Extensive Continuous Professional Development opportunities, career progression scheme including the opportunity to train as a Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor or Adult Mental Health Practitioner.
• Learn more here: Our benefits | Jobs (oxfordshire.gov.uk) 

Are you a passionate qualified Social Worker or Occupational Therapist ‘returning’ into Adult Social Care? Are you keen to resume practicing, but need some support to re-register with Social Work England or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)? If so, we would also like to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Deborah White Team Manager on 07827 822612 or deborah.white@oxfordshire.gov.uk. 

Alternatively contact Emma King on 0776857818 or emma.king@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, 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