Job summaryThe Children's Disability Team work with disabled children and their families, assessing their need for social care services and supporting Child in Need and Child Protection plans; children subject to Care Proceedings, Children We Care For and Leaving Care adults. This is a rewarding opportunity, to ensure that services are planned and delivered in a way that maximises participation and reflects childrens rights in relation to services being provided; to act on views of children and young people and demonstrate that childrens rights are reflected in the work with children and young people.
Key responsibilities include:- To assess need, providing focused work aimed at helping parents and children make changes in their lives, recording and evaluating that work as well as liaising with other agencies and voluntary organisations to improve the support available to children and their families in the local community.
- To be the allocated worker for disabled children in need or subject to child protection plans as identified by assessment, and for disabled children who are looked after.
- To provide ongoing timely assessment, planning, implementation and review for allocated cases, working in partnership with young people, their families and partner agencies.
- To prepare written reports for review, case conferences, courts and departmental panels as appropriate.
Main duties of the jobYoure free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. Youll be supportive and energised; you dont accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage. Just as importantly, you will embody our values in everything you do. Fundamentally, youll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because were here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire.
About usTogether, were shaping childrens social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire. In our Children, Education, & Families directorate, were committed to delivering lasting change, by helping the children, young people, and families of Oxfordshire 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. Weve been consistently rated as good by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! Were 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 including successful operation of our transformational model Family Support and Safeguarding (FSS).
About the RoleThe Children's Disability Team work with disabled children and their families, assessing their need for social care services and supporting Child in Need and Child Protection plans; children subject to Care Proceedings, Children We Care For and Leaving Care adults. This is a rewarding opportunity, to ensure that services are planned and delivered in a way that maximises participation and reflects childrens rights in relation to services being provided; to act on views of children and young people and demonstrate that childrens rights are reflected in the work with children and young people. The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all County Safeguarding and Child Protection policies are adhered to and concerns are raised in accordance with these policies.
About YouYoure free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. Youll be supportive and energised; you dont accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage. Just as importantly, you will embody our values in everything you do. Fundamentally, youll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because were here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire. We would like to hear from you if you are:
- A Qualified Social Worker, and Registered with Social Work England
- If you are an International Social Worker, please apply via the International Social Worker Vacancy also on the Careers page
- 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 Councils vision.
- Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement.
Rewards and Benefits- Welcome and Loyalty payment of £3,500.
- Relocation allowance of up to £8,000.
- Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Flexible working.
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24x7.
- 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 InclusionAt 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 SchemesAs 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: SafeguardingOxfordshire 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 WorkingWe are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexitime, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration.
Oxfordshire County Council is an equal opportunities employer.