Social Work Apprentice Coordinator & Practice Educator (Adult Social Care) OCC616219

Job details

Salary range: £43,421 - £46,464  
Work location: Various locations across Oxfordshire. A combination of remote, face to face and office-based working is expected depending on the needs of the business
Hours per week: 37 - we are open to discussions about flexible working
Contract type: Fixed term for 12 months 
Vetting requirements: This role is subject to a Criminal Records Check
 

Closing date: Friday 31st May 2024

Interview date: To be confirmed 

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 team

Our Social Work Academy co-ordinates and supports the development of our social work professionals, students, and apprentices through a culture of collaborative learning. We do this through the development of skilled social workers gaining practical experience through on-the-job training alongside space for reflection and study. We are keen to ensure diversity of practitioners by expanding routes into the social work profession for those with relevant skills and experience where other routes may not be accessible.

You will be working within the Social Work Early Professional Development team, alongside a skilled workforce to:

• Contribute to the recruitment of social work apprentices in adult social care.
• Ensure apprentices have a robust induction to Oxfordshire County Council and adult social care and are supported to understand our practice approach, practice standards and values and behaviours
• Co-ordinate learning opportunities and assessment for apprentices and other learners.
• Provide assessment, learning opportunities and reflective supervision for apprentices and other learners.
• 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.
• Support apprentices on placement in the role of practice educator and contribute to the process of matching apprentices to available work placements in year 2 and year 3.
• Liaise with managers and apprentices to ensure a positive apprenticeship experience and ensure managers are aware of their responsibilities as part of the apprenticeship, and that sufficient learning and shadowing opportunities are offered.
• Liaise with the corporate Strategic Apprentice Lead and the learning provider for the apprenticeships to ensure apprentices to track progress and ensure apprentices are progressing as required and meeting the standards of learning.
• Work with apprentices and other learners to address any performance or learning concerns.
• Support apprentices and newly qualified staff to progress to the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment.

About you

You are…

• Driven to do things differently to find creative solutions that problem solves with the person, rather than for the person.
• Willing to take responsibility.
• Kind and caring, you exhibit empathy and have a sense of social justice.  
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do and have good communication skills  and are able to work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome.
• Always learning, you have a passion for learning with a desire to pursue a career in adult social care.
• Passionate about following the professional standards of Social Work England. 

Rewards and benefits

• 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%
• Regular 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 Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor or Adult Mental Health Practitioner.
• Learn more here

Would you like to know more?

Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Fiona Havord, Principal Social Worker on fiona.havord@oxfordshire.gov.uk

No one day is ever the same in Oxfordshire County Council. Whatever your career aspirations are in adult social care, we’re here to support and empower you to lead your growth from the front.

Application Procedure

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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