About this role
Job summary
The Service Manager forthe Childrens Assessment Service (CAS) and Emergency Duty Team (EDT) has overall responsibility for the operational leadership, performance and continuous development of highquality assessment and safeguarding responses for children and families.
The Emergency Duty Team is a well-established and a critical part of our service to children, families and vulnerable adults in Oxfordshire, and you will help shape how the team responds to the needs of children out of hours ensuring joined up safeguarding decisions and safety planning for children and families.
Why join CAS in Oxfordshire?
The Childrens Assessment Service in Oxfordshire sits at the heart of anambitiousprogramme of reform, shaping how children and families experience the front door of childrens social care. You will be joining a servicecommittedto high-quality, strengthsbased assessment, reflective supervision and continuous learning,supportedby a strong, visible senior leadership team.With the development of the One Assessment and the Families First Programme, this is a genuine opportunity to influence practice, embed improvement andleada service that makes timely,confidentandcompassionatedecisions that truly improve childrens lives.
Main duties of the job We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate individual to join a dedicated group of service managers to provide impactful, child focussed support and interventions for our children and their families in Oxfordshire.
Youll need a full driving licence and the flexibility to work countywide.
The post requires a recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
About us Oxfordshire childrens services is a family safeguarding authority dedicated to strength-based working with our children and their families, underpinned by motivational interviewing, trauma informed and restorative practice.
We received a good judgment in our last ILACS Ofsted inspection.
Oxfordshire is a diverse county encompassing both market towns and rural landscapes, and it offers a wealth of historical sites, vibrant cultural events, and prestigious academic institutions. You will be working in an organisation that is free thinking, supportive, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We are not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced and innovation thrives.
Job description Job responsibilities
Help Shape the Future for Oxfordshires Children
About us
Oxfordshire childrens services is a family safeguarding authority dedicated to strength-based working with our children and their families, underpinned by motivational interviewing, trauma informed and restorative practice.
We received a good judgment in our last ILACS Ofsted inspection.
Oxfordshire is a diverse county encompassing both market towns and rural landscapes, and it offers a wealth of historical sites, vibrant cultural events, and prestigious academic institutions. You will be working in an organisation that is free thinking, supportive, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We are not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced and innovation thrives.
About the role
We have implemented our Family Safeguarding Model across childrens services and are now developing ourresponseto the social care reform.This is an exciting time to join Oxfordshire Childrens Services as we develop our One Assessment approach and implement the national Families First Programme, strengthening how werespondto children and families at the front door of childrens social care.
The Service Manager forthe Childrens Assessment Service (CAS) and Emergency Duty Team (EDT) has overall responsibility for the operational leadership, performance and continuous development of highquality assessment and safeguarding responses for children and families.
The Emergency Duty Team is a well-established and a critical part of our service to children, families and vulnerable adults in Oxfordshire, and you will help shape how the team responds to the needs of children out of hours ensuring joined up safeguarding decisions and safety planning for children and families.
Why join CAS in Oxfordshire?
The Childrens Assessment Service in Oxfordshire sits at the heart of anambitiousprogramme of reform, shaping how children and families experience the front door of childrens social care. You will be joining a servicecommittedto high-quality, strengthsbased assessment, reflective supervision and continuous learning,supportedby a strong, visible senior leadership team.With the development of the One Assessment and the Families First Programme, this is a genuine opportunity to influence practice, embed improvement andleada service that makes timely,confidentandcompassionatedecisions that truly improve childrens lives.
About you
We are looking for anenthusiasticand passionateindividualto join a dedicated group of service managers to provide impactful,childfocussedsupportand interventions for our children and their families in Oxfordshire.
Youll need afull driving licenceand the flexibility to work countywide.
The post requires a recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
You will have a proven track record in leading outcome focused services and demonstrating
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sophie Black, Assistant Director for Early Help, Assessment and Prevention [email protected]
Our Rewards & Benefits
Relocation expenses of up to £8,000 A good OFSTED rating Regular training opportunities A flexible, agile organisation A generous local government pension scheme 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays Culture of flexible working Technology tosupportagile working where role permits Option to buy additional holiday 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeingsupport Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employers contribution of up to 19.9% Enhanced family friendly policies Local and national discounts for shopping and travel Great learning and development opportunities tosupportyour ongoing development.
How to apply
To apply, you will need to complete an online application form.This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the requirements of the job role and selection criteria, as specified in the job description. You may attach a cover letter to your application form; however, it is not mandatory.
Interviews will be held on Friday 12 June 2026.
Ourcommitmentto: 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.
Ourcommitmentto:Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a DisabilityConfidentemployer, 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 alsocommittedto helping andsupportingthose transitioning from HM ArmedForcesto civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Ourcommitmentto:Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council arecommittedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers tosharethiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Ourcommitmentto: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.
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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.
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
OX1 1ND
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)