Senior Practitioner - Fostering

Job Introduction

About Us
Oxfordshire County Council is 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.

About the Role
We have an exciting, fixed term opportunity within the Countywide Fostering Recruitment Team for a Senior Practitioner starting October 2024. This fixed  term contract will be 12 months. This is a part -time position (18.5 hrs per week). 

The Recruitment Team have responsibility for assessing, training, supporting and promoting the role of foster carers in Oxfordshire.  

The role is based in Our Kidlington Office, Ron Groves House.

 This post-holder shall be expected:

• Complete assessment of prospective foster carers, and present assessments to the Fostering Panel within expected time frames.
• Undertake initial home visits, and second opinion visits where appropriate. 
• Deliver the Skills to Foster programme, training prospective foster carers and supports the team with events which will involve some out of hours working
• Contribute to the overall function of the Countywide Fostering Recruitment Team 
• To be involved in the development of new initiatives in accordance with the requirements of Departmental policy.
• To organise work according to Departmental priorities and to be responsible for managing own workload within legal and procedural requirements.

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 £21,710.50 - £23,232 per annum 
• Annual leave up to 33 days per year (plus bank holidays) (pro rata)
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• 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.

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