Job summary The designated county-wide Private Fostering team sits within the Fostering Service and is based in the Oxford City Fostering Team Main duties of the job You will need to communicate well, and you will be expected to maintain good working relationships across Children's Services and with other agencies as well as developing good working relationships with the private foster carers. Rewards and benefits A strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours The use of technology to support agile working. Best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development. A generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to a maximum of 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary A range of local and national retail discounts A host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering. About us We are looking for a committed Social Worker for our Private Fostering Team in the City. You will be responsible for assessing the suitability of private fostering arrangements to ensure the needs and safety of the children are prioritised. You will also support the private foster carers offering advice and making referrals where required. You will work to ensure that your assessments and visits are completed within timescales and are of a good quality. You will also be responsible for developing robust support plans for these arrangements. Date posted 07 November 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary £37,035 to £43,693 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number VP6A35C3B5 Job locations Oxford OX5 2BP Job description Job responsibilities About Us The designated county-wide Private Fostering team sits within the Fostering Service and is based in the Oxford City Fostering Team. About the Role We are looking for a committed Social Worker for our Private Fostering Team in the City.You will be responsible for assessing the suitability of private fostering arrangements to ensure the needs and safety of the children are prioritised. You will also support the private foster carers offering advice and making referrals where required. You will work to ensure that your assessments and visits are completed within timescales and are of a good quality. You will also be responsible for developing robustsupport plans for these arrangements. About you You will need to communicate well, and you will be expected to maintain good working relationships across Children's Services and with other agencies as well as developing good working relationships with the private foster carers. Rewards and benefits Astrong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours The use of technology to support agile working. Best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development. A generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to a maximum of 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary A range of local and national retail discounts A host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering. Salary range: £37,035 - £43,693 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £18,517 - £21,846) per annum) Ourcommitment 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 peersupport, education and safe spaces for all. Ourcommitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes As a DisabilityConfident 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 alsocommitted to helping andsupporting those transitioning from HM ArmedForces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service. Ourcommitment to: Safeguarding Oxfordshire County Council arecommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers toshare thiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments. Ourcommitment to: Flexible Working We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, jobsharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. Follow us on Social Media Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careersoxfordshire.gov.uk Job description Job responsibilities About Us The designated county-wide Private Fostering team sits within the Fostering Service and is based in the Oxford City Fostering Team. About the Role We are looking for a committed Social Worker for our Private Fostering Team in the City.You will be responsible for assessing the suitability of private fostering arrangements to ensure the needs and safety of the children are prioritised. You will also support the private foster carers offering advice and making referrals where required. You will work to ensure that your assessments and visits are completed within timescales and are of a good quality. You will also be responsible for developing robustsupport plans for these arrangements. About you You will need to communicate well, and you will be expected to maintain good working relationships across Children's Services and with other agencies as well as developing good working relationships with the private foster carers. Rewards and benefits Astrong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours The use of technology to support agile working. Best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development. A generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to a maximum of 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary A range of local and national retail discounts A host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering. Salary range: £37,035 - £43,693 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £18,517 - £21,846) per annum) Ourcommitment 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 peersupport, education and safe spaces for all. Ourcommitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes As a DisabilityConfident 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 alsocommitted to helping andsupporting those transitioning from HM ArmedForces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service. Ourcommitment to: Safeguarding Oxfordshire County Council arecommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers toshare thiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments. Ourcommitment to: Flexible Working We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, jobsharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. Follow us on Social Media Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careersoxfordshire.gov.uk Person Specification General Requirements Essential Please refer to job description above Desirable Please refer to job description above Person Specification General Requirements Essential Please refer to job description above Desirable Please refer to job description above Disclosure and Barring Service Check This 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. Employer details Employer name Oxfordshire County Council Address Oxford OX5 2BP Employer's website https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)