Job Description

Your new company
Oxfordshire County Council is looking for an experienced Social Worker / Senior Practitioner to join the Children's Assessment Service (CAS) based in Abingdon.This is a fast-paced, front-door service where you will play a key role in assessing risk, safeguarding children, and ensuring timely interventions for children, young people, and families.You will manage a caseload undertaking Section 17 Child & Family Assessments and Section 47 Child Protection enquiries, ensuring that children's voices are central to all decisions and plans.

Your new role
Key Responsibilities

• Complete Child & Family Assessments (S17) and Child Protection investigations (S47)
• Respond to new referrals and act as a duty worker on rotation
• Develop SMART care and intervention plans to support families
• Work collaboratively within a multi-agency safeguarding framework
• Prepare high-quality reports (assessments, child protection conferences, court reports)
• Ensure the child's voice is captured in all assessments and planning
• Support timely progression of cases to long-term teams where required
• Maintain accurate and compliant case records

What you'll need to succeed

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration
• Minimum 3 years post-qualifying experience (Senior Practitioner level)
• Strong experience in:
• Child Protection
• Section 47 investigations
• Child & Family Assessments (S17)
• Experience working in a statutory children's social care setting
• Excellent risk assessment, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Strong multi-agency working experience

Desirable Skills

• Experience within a Children's Assessment or Front Door team
• Knowledge of the Family Safeguarding Model

Working Arrangements

• Full-time role (30+ hours per week)
• Hybrid working - minimum 2 days per week in the office (Abingdon)
• Flexible approach required to meet service demand

What you'll get in return
Why Join Oxfordshire County Council?

• Be part of a high-performing front-door service making a real impact.
• Work within a supportive, collaborative team environment
• Opportunity for contract extension
• Competitive pay and flexible working arrangements

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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