Salary range: £73,812 - £86,886 per annum
Work location: North, South and/or Central locality based across Oxfordshire. Post holders can be required to attend meetings countywide. The council encourages agile working. You may work from home, however, there will be a need to work from various office locations across Oxfordshire depending on the needs of the service.
Hours per week: 37 - we are open to discussions about flexible working
Contract type: Permanent
Vetting requirements: This role is subject to a Criminal Records Check
Closing date: Sunday 9th April 2023
Interview date: Week commencing 17th April 2023
Oxfordshire County Council is committed to supporting children, young people and families to live safely in the community. We are committed to preventative work so that we are working families at the right time, for the right length of time and in the right way.
We have been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted, over a decade, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do better!
The Family Solutions Plus Service is based on the Family Safeguarding Approach. This approach is built on strong multi-agency partnerships with key statutory and local voluntary sector partners including Oxfordshire Mind, Elmore, Turning Point and Connection Support.
Our domestic abuse, mental health, and substance misuse adult–facing practitioners are embedded in our social work teams and have been directly commissioned by the local authority from voluntary partners.
Our effective demand-management approach has a strong track record of delivering innovative preventative services to children, families and communities, as well as good management of children needing prompt access to a social worker. It is not about turning referrers away but finding the appropriate solution. By meeting children’s needs early and at the right level of intervention, we aim to build on families’ strengths and sustain change.
The integration of all these teams into a multi-agency partnership system of ‘step up-step down’ support for families is unique to Oxfordshire and is highly popular with schools and other professionals.
It is a relationship-based approach that is creative, flexible and child-centred which seeks to impact holistic outcomes in social development, mental health and educational needs. We are approachable and pragmatic, ensuring that our staff and partners provide swift and seamless help to children and families.
As Head of Service, you’ll have enthusiasm, skills and experience in partnership working and management of systems. You’ll be responsible for ensuring timely and proportionate responses to concerns about children with emerging or complex needs for help and protection.
Your leadership and management skills will support us to continue delivering outstanding preventative and statutory social care services to unborn and vulnerable children, and children in need of early help, protection and learning needs, who are identified to the Council.
You’ll lead on the effective delivery, within budget, of high-quality services, you’ll build successful working relationships with your management team, across the Directorate and Council, as well as with community organisations and other professionals, to design, develop and deliver services effectively.
The Head of Service will be a key contributor to the operational management and strategic development of the Directorate as a member of the Children’s Services Management Team. This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring leader to join us, with a proven track record of strategic and operational management of social care workers and managers.
We know that working in children’s social care can be an absolute pleasure and privilege, whilst also acknowledging the challenges. We are committed to ensuring that our social care workforce has the right support physically and emotionally to enable them to be safe and well in their work and to continue providing high quality support to children and families.
Our benefits include:
- Relocation allowance of up to £8,000
- Annual leave allowance starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension - up to 20% employer contribution.
- Flexible working – agile working policy
- Cycle to work scheme, staff discount scheme for a range of retailers, holidays, insurance, restaurants, health & leisure activities and rail travel.
Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Jean Kelly, Deputy Director of Childrens Services at Jean.Kelly@oxfordshire.gov.uk
To apply, please complete an online application form by clicking either of the Apply Now buttons at the top and bottom of this advert. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the selection criteria, as specified in the job posting. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form, however it is not mandatory.
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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, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support and safe spaces for staff.
Our commitment to safeguarding
Our Organisation is 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.
Guaranteed interviews
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.
We are open to discussions about flexible working.
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