Occupational Therapist

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

We’re transforming the way we help our frontline social workers support our communities to get the best outcomes possible for each and every person we work with. We do this through our commitment of strengthened supervision, ongoing professional training and manageable caseloads, so that you can bring your best self to the people you work with.

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 Social Workers and Newly Qualified and Qualified Occupational Therapists to join us and help shape and deliver our teams; it’s a really exciting time to join us!

You will be working alongside Occupational Therapists in a team that is supportive and motivated to support each other learn and develop. The City team is passionate about supporting each other to ensure a high standard of work for the people we support locally. We continue to strive to work towards excellent practice, and as a team member you will:

• Empower people in your 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.
• Engage in group learning and CPD to help further develop evidence-based practice. 

About you 

You are…

• Driven to do it 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 who has the passion to promote people’s strengths to gain the best outcomes for people. 
• 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 with a commitment to human rights and social justice, and with your strong communication skills you will work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome.
• Always learning, to continuously develop your skills and knowledge in theory and case law.  
• Passionate about following the professional standards of SWEwith a commitment to continue your professional development.

Our Rewards and benefits

• Learn more about how you learn, grow and thrive with us…
• 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 weekly and 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 BIA or AMHP
• 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 Team Manager Francesca Smith on 07519 749 746.

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, 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