Principal Social Worker

Job Introduction

About Us 

At Oxfordshire County Council, we are committed to delivering high-quality Adult Social Care services that place people, families and communities at the centre of everything we do. Our approach is grounded in strengths-based practice, recognising the capabilities and resilience of individuals while working alongside them to achieve meaningful, sustainable outcomes.We are ambitious for our services and our workforce. We want social work to thrive — professionally, culturally and operationally — and we invest in creating an environment where practitioners feel confident, supported and able to make a difference. Working in close partnership with health, the voluntary sector and our wider communities, we are continually developing our services to respond to the evolving needs of Oxfordshire’s residents. This is a unique opportunity to join us at a senior level and play a central role in shaping the future of adult social care practice across the county.
 

About the Role

This is a pivotal senior leadership position within Adult Social Care and offers a rare opportunity to shape practice at scale while maintaining a clear connection to frontline delivery. As Principal Social Worker, you will provide strategic professional leadership across the service, acting as the statutory lead for social work and ensuring that high-quality, safe and effective practice underpins everything we do. 
You will sit as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, influencing priorities and driving continuous improvement, while creating a strong link between frontline practice and organisational strategy. Your work will ensure that the voice of the people we support is embedded in practice and that learning from audits, reviews and lived experience directly informs how we improve services. 

The role combines strategic influence with tangible impact. You will lead the development of our adult social care practice framework, working with partners to shape the future of practice, while also driving workforce excellence through oversight of professional development, career pathways and learning. You will champion strengths-based, legally literate and confident social work, ensuring it remains visible and valued at every level.  

Beyond the organisation, you will represent Oxfordshire at regional and national Principal Social Worker networks, bringing sector insight back into the council and ensuring we continue to learn, evolve and deliver the best possible outcomes for residents. 

About You 

You will be an experienced and credible social work leader, with a strong track record of influencing practice, leading improvement and working at a strategic level within Adult Social Care. You will bring a deep understanding of statutory social work responsibilities, alongside a genuine passion for strengthening practice and supporting others to deliver excellent outcomes.

You are comfortable operating at pace and at scale, able to balance strategic thinking with a clear focus on real-world impact. You are skilled in bringing people together, building strong relationships across organisational boundaries and ensuring that practice is informed by both evidence and lived experience.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual leave starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays)
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Agile and flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health and 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, 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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