About this role
Job summary Child Practitioner
Join Oxfordshire County Council as a Child Practitioner and help improve outcomes for children, young people and families through direct intervention, support and relationship-based practice.
As a Child Practitioner, you will work closely with children, young people and their families, providing practical support and evidence-based interventions that help address challenges, reduce risks and promote positive change. Using a strengths-based approach and the Family Safeguarding Practice (FSP) framework, you will support families to build resilience, develop skills and achieve better outcomes.
You will work alongside social workers and partner agencies to deliver targeted interventions, contribute to assessments and plans, prepare reports and attend reviews and meetings. Throughout your work, you will ensure the child's voice remains central, helping children and young people actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.
The role offers an excellent opportunity to make a direct impact on children and families while building experience within a supportive and innovative children's service. We are looking for compassionate, organised and motivated individuals who are passionate about working with children and families and committed to improving outcomes through collaborative, relationship-based practice.
Main duties of the job As a Child Practitioner, you will provide practical support and targeted interventions to children, young people and families. Working alongside social workers and partner agencies, you will help families build on their strengths, contribute to care planning and ensure childrens voices remain central to the support they receive.
About us Oxfordshire County Council Children's Services is committed to helping children, young people and families achieve positive outcomes through relationship-based practice, partnership working and early intervention. We believe that lasting change happens when we work alongside families, build on strengths and ensure childrens voices are at the heart of decision-making.
As part of a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, Child Practitioners play a vital role in delivering practical support and interventions to families, helping children remain safe, supported and able to thrive. We are committed to developing our workforce and creating an environment where staff can grow professionally while making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people across Oxfordshire.
Job description Job responsibilities
About UsTogether, were the moment makers and were focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, youll look around and say, I make a difference. Because were all creating lasting change to peoples lives in Oxfordshire.Everyday youll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. Were not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.We believe thattogether, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself while raising the bar for the future of childrens social care.About the RoleJoin our dedicated team at OCC as aChild Practitioner!You will play a crucial role in ensuring that children, young people and families in need of help and protection receive timely, high quality assessments and support. Your efforts will help identify and meet their needs, reduce risks and safeguard their wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities
To provide an efficient and effective service to children, young people and their families, ensuring that the needs of the children and their parents/carers are professionally supported, and that relevant interventions are provided where needed, in a timely way. To work with families using the FSP Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach. To prepare and submit written reports as and when required To attend reviews and core groups presenting interventions undertaken clearly, with professionalism and integrity. To ensure the social worker is kept fully appraised of significant information about allocated families arising, seeking advice as and when necessary. To attend group supervision when required and to ensure that relevant updates are provided before each group supervision session. To proactively liaise with and work in partnership other agencies and organisations, parents and carers. To ensure that the childs voice is considered in all casework and included in all assessments and plans. To promote the involvement of young service users and families in meetings about them, and where possible, in service developmentAbout 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.Does this sound like you? If so, we look forward to receiving your application!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 peersupport, 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 thiscommitment. 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 flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.Follow us on Social Media
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Person Specification
General Requirements Essential
Please refer to job description above
Desirable
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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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Oxford
OX4 4UY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)