Oxfordshire County Council

Assistant Team Manager - Adopt Thames Valley

The closing date is 10 July 2025

Job summary

The Permanence Support Team is a specialist team providing post-order support to adopters, Special Guardians, and their children, adults affected by adoption, and to birth families. The team is very friendly and supportive, as well as being hard-working and very committed to adoption work. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism. You will be joining a supportive team of aspirational, creative and committed Social Workers who strive to provide the best possible outcomes for adopted and Special Guardianship children. Your responsibilities will include: To assist the Team Managers in the operational management of the team, ensuring the highest standards of service are provided. To ensure that services to users are delivered and developed according to Adopt Thames Valley policies procedures and guidance. To ensure that services are planned and delivered in a way that maximises participation and reflects Childrens Rights in relation to services being provided and in the way that Children, Young People and Families are worked with. To provide case supervision to social workers. This post holder is responsible for ensuring that Safeguarding and Child Protection policies are adhered to and concerns are raised in accordance with these policies.

Main duties of the job

Are you a passionate, qualified social worker with experience of adoption and Team Management, or have the skill set to move into Team Management? Are you interested in different ways of working in this field? We are ideally seeking an Assistant Team Manager with at least three years post qualifying experience in adoption and with relevant work settings, such as within Childrens Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills. Experience of supervising or mentoring staff within this setting will be beneficial. The applicant will need to demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the needs of adoptive families, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

About us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency. ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council. The Regional Adoption Agency is hosted by Oxfordshire County Council and so your contract and work conditions will sit within Oxfordshire County Council.

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£48,710 to £51,802 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

VP08591E8C

Job locations

Woodley

RG5 4UX


Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency.ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.The Regional Adoption Agency is hosted by Oxfordshire County Council and so your contract and work conditions will sit within Oxfordshire County Council.

About the Role

The PermanenceSupportTeam is a specialist team providing post-order support to adopters, Special Guardians, and their children, adults affected by adoption, and to birth families. The team is very friendly andsupportive, as well as being hard-working and verycommitted to adoption work.This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism.You will be joining asupportiveteam of aspirational, creative and committed Social Workers who strive to provide the best possible outcomes for adopted and Special Guardianship children.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • To assist the Team Managers in the operational management of the team, ensuring the highest standards of service are provided.
  • To ensure that services to users are delivered and developed according to Adopt Thames Valley policies procedures and guidance.
  • To ensure that services are planned and delivered in a way that maximises participation and reflects Childrens Rights in relation to services being provided and in the way that Children, Young People and Families are worked with.
  • To provide case supervision to social workers

This post holder is responsible for ensuring that Safeguarding andChildProtection policies are adhered to and concerns are raised in accordance with these policies

About you

Are you a passionate, qualified social worker with experience of adoption and Team Management, or have the skill set to move into Team Management? Are you interested in different ways of working in this field?

We are ideally seeking an Assistant Team Manager with at least three years post qualifying experience in adoption and with relevant work settings, such as within Childrens Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills. Experience of supervising or mentoring staff within this setting will be beneficial.

The applicant will need to demonstrate that they have a good understandingof the needs of adoptive families, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

Rewards and benefits

As part of our team, youll benefit from

Vivup benefits platform

Vivup highfive recognition platform

Cyclescheme (for eco-conscious commuters)

Electric vehicle lease scheme

Discounts at local retailers

Salary finance options

Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)

A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution rate

Ourcommitment to: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 peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As 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 Forcesto 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:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committedto 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.

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.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,Twitter andInstagram.

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the continued development of Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency.ATV launched in December 2017 and is the shared Adoption Service for Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council (Brighter Futures for Children), The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (Achieving for Children), Swindon Borough Council, West Berkshire Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.The Regional Adoption Agency is hosted by Oxfordshire County Council and so your contract and work conditions will sit within Oxfordshire County Council.

About the Role

The PermanenceSupportTeam is a specialist team providing post-order support to adopters, Special Guardians, and their children, adults affected by adoption, and to birth families. The team is very friendly andsupportive, as well as being hard-working and verycommitted to adoption work.This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in adoption and permanence to further their career and specialism.You will be joining asupportiveteam of aspirational, creative and committed Social Workers who strive to provide the best possible outcomes for adopted and Special Guardianship children.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • To assist the Team Managers in the operational management of the team, ensuring the highest standards of service are provided.
  • To ensure that services to users are delivered and developed according to Adopt Thames Valley policies procedures and guidance.
  • To ensure that services are planned and delivered in a way that maximises participation and reflects Childrens Rights in relation to services being provided and in the way that Children, Young People and Families are worked with.
  • To provide case supervision to social workers

This post holder is responsible for ensuring that Safeguarding andChildProtection policies are adhered to and concerns are raised in accordance with these policies

About you

Are you a passionate, qualified social worker with experience of adoption and Team Management, or have the skill set to move into Team Management? Are you interested in different ways of working in this field?

We are ideally seeking an Assistant Team Manager with at least three years post qualifying experience in adoption and with relevant work settings, such as within Childrens Services or Family Placement, and who has excellent assessment, analytical and report writing skills. Experience of supervising or mentoring staff within this setting will be beneficial.

The applicant will need to demonstrate that they have a good understandingof the needs of adoptive families, and that they are keen to develop their knowledge and skills further. The successful applicant also needs to be computer literate.

Rewards and benefits

As part of our team, youll benefit from

Vivup benefits platform

Vivup highfive recognition platform

Cyclescheme (for eco-conscious commuters)

Electric vehicle lease scheme

Discounts at local retailers

Salary finance options

Up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)

A competitive 19.9% employer pension contribution rate

Ourcommitment to: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 peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As 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 Forcesto 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:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committedto 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.

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.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,Twitter andInstagram.

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

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Woodley

RG5 4UX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Woodley

RG5 4UX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Sandra Benaite

VP08591E8C.1286@vacancyposter.com

01865816000

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£48,710 to £51,802 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

VP08591E8C

Job locations

Woodley

RG5 4UX


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