Social Worker

About us

Do you want to help us radically change the way we deliver social care?

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which is enabling 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 Adult Services, this means we're daring to do adult social care differently by supporting Oxfordshire’s residents to stay fit, healthy and independent in their communities for as long as possible through a strength’s-based approach.  Working with local NHS services, care providers and community and voluntary groups, we make the most of what each of our strengths are, pulling in the same direction, and united by one shared vision.

This means we keep the people we support at the heart of all that we do. And that works. By listening to people and building on the positives in their lives, we can work collaboratively to help them live the lives they want with the right support around them.

It is something we call the Oxfordshire Way and we can’t do it alone – our proactive, positive approach to social care gives everyone the opportunity to make a bigger difference. If we’re doing a good job, we don’t stand still – we’re ambitious and we’re always striving to do better; it’s in our DNA.

About the role and the team

We’re transforming the way we help our frontline Social Workers support our communities to get the best outcomes possible for each and every person we work with. We do this through our commitment of strengthened supervision, ongoing professional training and manageable caseloads, so that you can bring your best self to the people you work with.

We continue to be a financially stable local authority and our investment in Adult Services has created a number of vacancies; we are looking for Newly Qualified and Qualified Social Workers to join us and help shape and deliver our teams; it’s a really exciting time to join us!

You will be working alongside Occupational Therapists within a locality, hospital setting or safeguarding team and will:

• Empower people in your community to identify their strengths and desired outcomes, embracing new ideas and ways of doing things to improve and maintain their independence.
• Utilise a strength-based approach to promote people’s wellbeing to help them achieve their desired outcomes.
• Support people and carers to ensure their voice is heard through advocacy where necessary.

Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria 

About you

You are…

• Driven to do it differently to find creative solutions that problem solves with the person, rather than for the person.
• Willing to take responsibility, you are a self-leader who has the passion to promote people’s strengths to gain the best outcomes for people.
• 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 with a commitment to human rights and social justice, and with your strong communication skills you will work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome.
• Always learning, to continuously develop your skills and knowledge in theory and case law. 
• Passionate about following the professional standards of SWE with a commitment to continue your professional development.

Rewards and benefits

Learn more about how you learn, grow and thrive with us…

• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays - Option to ‘buy’ additional days
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Relocation package up to a maximum of £8,000 to cover reimbursement of expenses for newly appointed employees (conditions apply in line with Council Policy)
• Regular weekly and monthly formal and informal support and supervision
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Extensive Continuous Professional Development opportunities, career progression scheme including the opportunity to train as a BIA or AMHP
• Learn more here: Our benefits | Jobs (oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Would you like to know more?

Simply email Francesca Smith, Team Manager at francesca.smith@oxfordshire.gov.uk for a further confidential discussion.