Team Manager - Children's Services (Leaving Care)

Job Introduction

Empowering change - children's social care Together, we're the moment makers!

Together, we're shaping children's social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire.

In our Children, Education, & Families directorate, we're committed to 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 are ambitious and want to do even better! We're 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.

About Us

Together, we're the moment makers and we're focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you'll look around and say, "I make a difference". Because we're all creating lasting change to people's lives in Oxfordshire.

Everyday you'll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We're not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.

We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself - while raising the bar for the future of children's social care.

Are you in?

About the RoleWe are a passionate and dedicated team supporting care leavers and unaccompanied young people. We strive to achieve the best outcomes for our care leavers and support them into independence and young adulthood.

We are proud to have achieved a 'Good' rating this year with our Ofsted inspection and have had positive feedback from the LGA review. This is a great opportunity to join a creative and proactive team.

The post holder will have responsibility for managing a team, ensuring that young people receive first class pathway plans and timely support to meet their needs and identify/manage risks.

You will lead on areas of the service development plan and represent the team with partners and at various levels. The successful candidate will be responsible for recruitment, retention, staff development and H&S.

Curious to learn more? Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat!Carol Stewart, Service Manager: carol.stewart@oxfordshire.gov.uk About youYou're free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You'll be supportive and energised; you don't accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage. Just as importantly, you will embody our values in everything you do.

Fundamentally, you'll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we're here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire.

This is an opportunity for a proactive and passionate leader to join our team and develop our service. You will be a competent and dedicated manager who has insight and experience of the needs of care leavers.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Management: Lead and manage a team to ensure young people receive first-class pathway plans and timely support, addressing their needs and managing risks effectively.
• Service Development: Assist the Service Manager in developing, delivering, and reviewing services for young people. Ensure that care-experienced young people in Oxfordshire are protected from significant harm, their life chances are maximized, and looked-after children are supported in planning for their independence and transition to adulthood.
• Care Leaver Support: Ensure that Care Leavers, including unaccompanied young people, can access their entitlements through the Leaving Care Local Offer. Ensure these entitlements are clearly outlined in their Pathway Plan.
• Partnership Collaboration: Work in partnership with key stakeholders, including district housing, DWP, Adult Social Care, Education, Health, and other relevant entities, to fulfil Corporate Parenting responsibilities.

Essential Criteria:

Does this sound like you? If so, we look forward to receiving your application!

Rewards and benefitsIt really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working. We offer some of the best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

• We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 33 days.
• Option to buy additional holiday.
• Access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary.
• A range of local and national retail discounts
• A host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and InclusionAt 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 peer support, education, and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to Guaranteed Interview SchemesAs a Disability Confident employer, 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 also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to SafeguardingOxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. We expect all employees, workers, and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk