Lead Practitioner OCC617513

Job details

Salary range: £43,421 - £46,464 per annum

Work location:  County Hall, Oxford with some possible travel around the county.

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: Friday 12th July 2024

Interview date: Week commencing 22nd July 2024

About us

Working together to help Children, young people, and families to thrive.

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which will enable 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 our Children, Education, & Families Directorate, we do our very best to help children, young people, and families to thrive. We know the importance of building relationships, empowering people, and building on strengths and this is reflected in our restorative, relational practice approach.

We’ve been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! Oxfordshire County Council is a financially stable local authority which is committed to investing in Children, Education, and Families, to ensure that we have the resources we need to make a real difference to the families we work with. 

This includes the successful operation of our transformational model Family Solutions Plus (FSP).

About the role and team

We have an opportunity within our MASH team, Children’s Services here at Oxfordshire County Council! Following the success of a recent pilot, we have created a permanent team to review all referrals to Family Help from point of contact to MASH or following a MASH assessment.

The teams’ objectives are to provide the right support to families at the right time, by providing advice and support, robust community early help plans or targeted family help from our area teams.

Thus far, the pilot has helped to contribute towards a reduction in waiting times for families receiving support.

As the lead practitioner for the MASH–Family Help Team, you will play a crucial role in supporting the team manager in overseeing and enhancing the delivery of the service. Your responsibilities will include providing leadership, guidance, and support to team members, ensuring efficient case management in the absence of the team manager, and contributing to the overall success of the MASH-Family Help initiative. You will support and assist the MASH–Family Help manager to provide timely support through assessment and support plans for vulnerable families, addressing safeguarding concerns and reducing risks for children and young people within the area. You will be confident in your knowledge of thresholds and professional challenge, assist in the monitoring of significant contacts via our team inbox, complex case hold, allocate and authorise referrals and regularly consult with colleagues in statutory teams in reference to Section 17 CAFA/ Strategy discussion requests.

We are transforming the way we support our employees in their role by providing regular case direction meetings and peer supervisions. What makes working for the MASH-Family help team unique to other roles in the organisation, is the flexibility and autonomy it can provide. There is an expectation to work together at least one day a week in county hall (Tuesday) and either work from home, or County Hall through the week. County hall is accessible via the train or park and ride.

Learn more about what we’re doing:

Working for OCC Children’s Services

As part of our team, you will:

• Ensure continuity/consistency in delivery of service by supervising staff as delegated by the MASH–Family Help Manager
• Deputise in the managers absence and complex case holding.
• Assist the MASH–Family Help manager and Service Manager by contributing to the planning and development of the service and to assist the management of the workflow.
• Undertake effective assessment of need, analysis and management of risk for allocated children.
• Carry out visits countywide where necessary, monitor and assess children’s safety and welfare and act promptly on any concerns.

About you

We would like to hear from you if you are…

• Kind and caring, with an understanding of and respect for individuals’ qualities, abilities, and diverse backgrounds.
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do.
• Always learning, with a passion to grow and develop your skills.
• Willing to take responsibility and contribute to the delivery of Oxfordshire County Council’s vision.  
• Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement.

Rewards and benefits

• Competitive salary from £43,421 - £46,464 pro rata
• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays). Pro rata
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x7.
• Range of family friendly policies.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Explore more here

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Eliza Marland on eliza.marland@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Would you like to know more?

Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria 

Are you a newly qualified or experienced practitioner from overseas with rights to work in the UK and Social Work England registered?

Learn more about how we support you with our first-class induction training, onboarding care and ongoing personal development.

Join our vibrant and passionate workforce and make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people, and their families.

Application Procedure

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