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Why should you work in Oldham?

Officially rated as a ‘Good’ by Ofsted, we are proud of our relentless approach in seeking the very best outcomes for our children and families, and there’s never been a better time to join the team and be part of our success story.

Oldham is a wonderful place of diversity, where people of all cultures come together. This is one our greatest strengths and our social workers enjoy using a breadth of skills and gaining a variety of experiences whilst supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds.

We use systemic practice as our chosen practice model, focusing on building relationships with children and families, understanding the context and family dynamics, and reflectively learning together. 2024 has seen the launch of our new systemic reflective hubs, as our Social Work Academy continues to offer reflective supervisions and tailored support through an innovative 2-year ASYE programme.

We have a strong ethos of ‘Growing our own’, providing a great environment to excel in your social work career.

Our Promises to you:

* A manageable and diverse caseload aligned with your experience and skills.

* A commitment to your continuing professional development through a bespoke learning and development programme

* A variety of career opportunities to progress and develop with us in Social Work

* Regular, quality, and reflective supervision and learning from practice audits with fortnightly training days in each of our services.

* Monthly Group Supervision with your team

* Weekly Learning Spaces to focus on a specific area of learning.

* A permanent and supportive Senior Leadership team

* Full corporate and service Induction

* Direct link to a Team Manager, Advanced Practitioner and Social Work Consultants from our Social Work Academy.

* The opportunity to become a Practice Educator and to develop students within our organisation.

* Dedicated support to develop you in your role and opportunities to meet your career aspirations.

* During the SSYE [LM1] (second supported year in employment) you will have a consultant social worker in the CSWA who will offer reflective supervision every three months as well as meetings with your manager at 6 and 12 months to ensure that your professional development plan is being supported.

* Focus on child and family-centred outcomes across all sectors by ensuring the right intervention is identified at the right time, there by building a safe, happy, healthy, and successful future for children and young people.

You will be rewarded with great benefits:

* Competitive pay with a £2,000 retention payment. (After 2 years)

* Hybrid working giving flexibility for you to manage your diary and offer a better work/life balance.

* Free town centre parking

* Essential car user allowance of £500* and mileage expenses at 45p per mile.

* Reimbursement of Social Work England professional registration fees - currently £90 per year

Other generous benefits including:

* 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase additional days, and which increases after 5- and 10-years’ service.

* Attractive defined benefit pension scheme with a market leading AVC option for additional retirement savings

* Discounted gym membership

* Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.

* Salary sacrifice scheme, including Cycle to Work

* Wellbeing support, including an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.

* Staff recognition and celebration events

Ofsted says:

“Children are well supported by social workers, who ensure that their health, education and emotional needs are met”.

“Staff are tenacious”.

“Children and families in Oldham benefit from a comprehensive range of early help services”.

“There is strong partnership working”.

“Senior leaders promote the participation of cared for children and actively seek their voice in developing and shaping service delivery”.

“Relentless focus on improvement by a strong and stable leadership team, with progress made across many areas of practice,”

Assessment and Intervention:

Undertake child and family assessments, formulate plans to support our children and families and identify strengths and risks usually at a Child in Need level. It is important that we intervene whilst assessing to support our children and families at the earlier possible opportunity. Make decisions regarding escalation to initial child protection case conference, PLO[LM1] or closure further to assessment.

Safeguarding and Care Planning:

Hold longer term interventions, some at child in need level but mainly child protection or children looked after children who are currently in the court process. Undertake and review plans and work on interventions. Chair meetings, work closely with our children and families. Undertake assessments and court work, including Court attendance.

Permanence:

Support children who are looked after by the Local Authority. Ensure their safety and continuously assess their needs. Support with finding placements should there be a placement breakdown. Undertake assessments, care plans and chair meetings with focus on the child’s best interest. Involves court reports and court attendance.

Children with Disabilities:

We are a generic team of social workers who manage cases from initial assessment through to CP, PLO Pre-Proceedings, Care Proceedings, CLA and adoption. You will increase your skill set within this service as an all-round social worker with speciality knowledge in Mental Capacity Assessments, Best Interest Meetings, Court of Protection, and Inherent Jurisdiction applications, adapting and being creative in your communication skills and tools with a range of verbal and non-verbal children and young people, carers assessments and providing packages of respite and domiciliary care. You will also work towards young people transitioning from children to adult services