Childrens Social Work Vacancies

Oldham is a wonderful place of diversity, where people of all cultures come together. This is one our greatest strengths and our social workers enjoy using a breadth of skills and gaining a variety of experiences whilst supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds. We use systemic practice as our chosen practice model, focusing on building relationships with children and families, understanding the context and family dynamics, and reflectively learning together. 2024 has seen the launch of our new systemic reflective hubs, as our Social Work Academy continues to offer reflective supervisions and tailored support through an innovative 2-year ASYE programme. We have a strong ethos of 'Growing our own', providing a great environment to excel in your social work career. Our Promises to you:

• A manageable and diverse caseload aligned with your experience and skills.
• A commitment to your continuing professional development through a bespoke learning and development programme
• A variety of career opportunities to progress and develop with us in Social Work
• Regular, quality, and reflective supervision and learning from practice audits with fortnightly training days in each of our services.
• Monthly Group Supervision with your team
• Weekly Learning Spaces to focus on a specific area of learning.
• A permanent and supportive Senior Leadership team
• Full corporate and service Induction
• Direct link to a Team Manager, Advanced Practitioner and Social Work Consultants from our Social Work Academy.
• The opportunity to become a Practice Educator and to develop students within our organisation.
• Dedicated support to develop you in your role and opportunities to meet your career aspirations.
• During the SSYE [LM1] (second supported year in employment) you will have a consultant social worker in the CSWA who will offer reflective supervision every three months as well as meetings with your manager at 6 and 12 months to ensure that your professional development plan is being supported. Focus on child and family-centred outcomes across all sectors by ensuring the right intervention is identified at the right time, there by building a safe, happy, healthy, and successful future for children and young people.
• , "Children are well supported by social workers, who ensure that their health, education and emotional needs are met".
"Staff are tenacious". "Children and families in Oldham benefit from a comprehensive range of early help services". "There is strong partnership working". "Senior leaders promote the participation of cared for children and actively seek their voice in developing and shaping service delivery". "Relentless focus on improvement by a strong and stable leadership team, with progress made across many areas of practice," Read the full Ofsted report here Our services: Assessment and Intervention: Undertake child and family assessments, formulate plans to support our children and families and identify strengths and risks usually at a Child in Need level. It is important that we intervene whilst assessing to support our children and families at the earlier possible opportunity. Make decisions regarding escalation to initial child protection case conference, PLO[LM1] or closure further to assessment. Safeguarding and Care Planning: Hold longer term interventions, some at child in need level but mainly child protection or children looked after children who are currently in the court process. Undertake and review plans and work on interventions. Chair meetings, work closely with our children and families. Undertake assessments and court work, including Court attendance. Permanence: Support children who are looked after by the Local Authority. Ensure their safety and continuously assess their needs. Support with finding placements should there be a placement breakdown. Undertake assessments, care plans and chair meetings with focus on the child's best interest. Involves court reports and court attendance. Children with Disabilities: We are a generic team of social workers who manage cases from initial assessment through to CP, PLO Pre-Proceedings, Care Proceedings, CLA and adoption. You will increase your skill set within this service as an all-round social worker with speciality knowledge in Mental Capacity Assessments, Best Interest Meetings, Court of Protection, and Inherent Jurisdiction applications, adapting and being creative in your communication skills and tools with a range of verbal and non-verbal children and young people, carers assessments and providing packages of respite and domiciliary care. You will also work towards young people transitioning from children to adult services. ASYE Q & A Sessions via Microsoft Teams, Oldham Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All roles require strong commitment to securing good outcomes for children, operating in a supportive environment focused on effective delivery, including identifying and responding appropriately to any safeguarding concerns, ensuring the immediate decision making reflects an analysis of risk and protective factors. Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to creating a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We aim to develop a culture of respect, where differences are recognised regardless of background. We aim to be an employer of choice by engaging in fair and open recruitment processes and applications are encouraged from all communities across the borough to create a workforce that represents the diversity of our population. If you would like support with this application, an interview or interested in looking at any courses that could help with this position please get in touch with Get Oldham Working - Get Oldham Working registration form - Oldham Council Our Behaviours: Our five behaviours support how we work at Oldham, ensuring we all: Work with a resident focus. Support our local leaders. Take ownership and drive change. Stay committed to the borough. Drive high performance. To find out more, scroll Greater.Jobs Guaranteed Assessment Scheme: Any candidate that meets the criteria of our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme and meets the essential criteria of the role, will be guaranteed the first stage of assessment (whether that is an interview or another assessment, as appropriate). Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme supports candidates with disabilities, carers, those who are aged 24 or under and have previously been in or currently in care, and those whose last long term substantive employer was the Armed Forces.


• Competitive pay with a £2,000 retention payment. (After 2 years)
• Hybrid working giving flexibility for you to manage your diary and offer a better work/life balance.
• Free town centre parking
• Essential car user allowance of £500 and mileage expenses at 45p per mile. Reimbursement of Social Work England professional registration fees - currently £90 per year
• Other generous benefits including:
• 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase additional days, and which increases after 5- and 10-years' service.
• Attractive defined benefit pension scheme with a market leading AVC option for additional retirement savings
• Discounted gym membership
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme, including Cycle to Work
• Wellbeing support, including an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support. Staff recognition and celebration events
• Our employees say: "One of the reasons I've worked here for so long is because it's like a family and a listening organisation, where people are encouraged to participate and get involved". "Our Social Worker teams are friendly, approachable and professional". "We all want to make a difference to the families and children that we work with". "Oldham values the person, the families, and the inclusive culture". Hear more from our employees and explore our Social Work Academy offer here