Visa Note
Important: Even though a certificate of sponsorship is offered, you must verify your eligibility to work in the UK directly with Oxfordshire County Council before applying. Immigration rules can be complex and subject to change.
Job Details
Job Title: Social Worker – Children’s Assessment Service (North)
Company: Oxfordshire County Council
Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire (OX16 5AU)
Salary: £38,220 to £49,282 per annum
Employment Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Language: English
Certificate of Sponsorship: Available
Application Deadline: 14 January 2026
About Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council is committed to delivering lasting change by helping children, young people, and families in Oxfordshire thrive. We value building relationships, empowering people, and building on strengths through our restorative, relational practice approach. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
About the Children’s Assessment Service
The Children’s Assessment Service provides an early response to support children and their families who may be in need or at risk of harm without our help. Our workers have the privilege of supporting families at one of the earliest points of contact with Children’s Services, completing comprehensive child and family assessments in partnership with children and their families to ensure they receive the right help at the right time.
Job Responsibilities
The post holder will be free-thinking and brave, supportive and energised. You won’t accept the norm if it can be done better – finding answers through exploration and courage. You will embody our values in everything you do: always learning, being kind and caring, showing equality and integrity in all you do, taking responsibility, and daring to do it differently.
Key Duties
As a Social Worker in the Children’s Assessment Service, you will:
- Complete comprehensive child and family assessments in partnership with children and their families
- Be part of a duty rotation of social workers receiving assessments as they are referred by our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
- Lead Section 47 child protection investigations where necessary
- Work with multi-agency partners as part of Oxfordshire’s commitment to the Family Safeguarding Model
- Ensure children and families receive a safe, respectful, and child-focused service
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Please refer to job description above. You should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and have completed the ASYE (or equivalent). Additionally, you will have experience of working with children and their families in a statutory setting and possess a good working knowledge of services relevant to children, young people, their families, and carers.
Desirable Criteria
Please refer to job description above. Experience in a similar role would be advantageous.
Benefits and Rewards
We offer a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have 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; and a host of enhanced family-friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.
Additional Benefits
- Welcome and Loyalty payment of £3,500
- Relocation allowance of up to £8,000
- Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays)
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24×7
- 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
Safeguarding Commitment
Oxfordshire 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.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
How to Apply
Apply via NHS Jobs website.
International applicants checklist:
- Verify your eligibility to work in the UK with Oxfordshire County Council
- Prepare your current Social Work England registration certificate
- Prepare evidence of your ASYE completion (or equivalent)
- Gather documentation of your qualifications and experience
- Prepare a CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience
- Contact Sandra Benaite (Recruiter) with any questions
Employer Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact: Sandra Benaite (Recruiter)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01865816000
Employer Website
For more information about Oxfordshire County Council and this role, please visit: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
Equal Opportunities
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 peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
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.
Privacy Notice
Please read Oxfordshire County Council’s privacy notice: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/about-website/privacy-notice#paragraph-5977
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Contact for Application Issues
If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: [email protected]
