Assistant Team Manager - Children's Services (South Oxfordshire)
| Posting date: | 10 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,269 to £53,460 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 January 2026 |
| Location: | South Oxfordshire, OX11 8QX |
| Company: | Oxfordshire County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | OCC/TP/786/1648 |
Summary
About the role
You will line manage Children’s Practitioners & Social Workers while also deputising for the Team Manager, when required.You will also supervise Newly Qualified Social Workers,supportingand assessing them to meet the requirements of the council's Assessed &SupportedYear in Employment (ASYE) programme. In addition, you will manage the Team’s duty and assessment function.
Large part of your role will focus onsupportingcounty safeguarding andchildprotection policies and ensuring that they are adhered to.You will play aleadrole in improving practice, including the quality of assessments and care planning within the team, leading team meeting discussions and workshops, and updating staff on practice developments and research findings.
You will be responsible for the allocation and timely progression of new referrals into the team via the duty system, under the direction of the Team Manager.
About you
As a qualified Social Worker, you will possessknowledge of services relevant to children, young people, families, carers, and groups, and knowledge of how to access relevant services.You working knowledge of the Family Safeguarding Model and Motivational Interviewing will be beneficial in ensuring timely progression of work with families within the FSS model, ensuring direct reports work in accordance with the model modules and attend group case supervision as required.
You should have considerable direct experience of safeguarding social work includingchildprotection planning and legal casework, including knowledge of relevant law, legislation, guidance, policy and procedures in relation to children and families’ social work.
About us
Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of Oxfordshire residents.
In our Children, Education, & Families directorate, we’recommittedto delivering lasting change, by helping the children, young people, and families of Oxfordshire 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 areambitiousand want to do even better!We’recommittedto 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 – including successful operation of our transformational model FamilySupportand Safeguarding (FSS).
Our Rewards & Benefits
- Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
- Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 for qualifying candidates.
- A welcome andloyaltybonus of £3,500.
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, employer’s contribution of up to19.9%
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeingsupport24 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.
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 should also attach a cover letter and CV to your application form.
If you experience any difficulties whilst completing the application form, please contact the Recruitment Team using the Recruitment Application Enquiry Form on the Home Page.
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.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We 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.
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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme