Social Worker

Job Introduction

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency. ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

About the Role

Organisation: Adopt Thames Valley (hosted by Oxfordshire County Council)

Team: Adoption Team, Oxfordshire

Salary Range: £37035 - £43693 per annum

Work base: Union Street, Oxfordshire

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: One year’s appointment to cover maternity leave from December 2024 / January 2025 

This post is subject to a criminal records check

We are looking for a highly motivated Social Worker to join our Oxford and Swindon Adoption Team.  

Your responsibilities will include:

• Recruitment, assessment, training and support of prospective adopters at all stages of the adoption process.
• Family finding and matching of children in the care of partner local authorities with prospective adopters.

The Team is very friendly and supportive, as well as being hard-working and very committed to adoption work. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism.

About you

We are ideally seeking a social worker with three years post qualifying experience in relevant work settings, such as within children’s Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills. The applicant will need to demonstrate that they understand the permanency planning process, the needs of children who require an adoptive placement, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

Our Rewards & Benefits

As part of our team, you’ll benefit from:

• Vivup benefits platform
• Vivup highfive recognition platform
• Cyclescheme (for eco-conscious commuters)
• Electric vehicle lease scheme
• Discounts at local retailers
• Salary finance options
• Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
• A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution rate

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