Supervising Social Worker Jobs in Oxfordshire – £39,481 to £46,579 Plus £8,000 Relocation Allowance
Oxfordshire County Council is recruiting a Supervising Social Worker to support foster carers and children in care. This permanent, full-time opportunity is based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and offers a salary of up to £46,579 per year, a relocation allowance of up to £8,000, flexible working options, and excellent learning and development opportunities.
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship: Applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration as a social worker.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Supervising Social Worker
- Employer: Oxfordshire County Council
- Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3RG, United Kingdom
- Salary: £39,481–£46,579 per year
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Working Pattern: Full-time
- Number of Vacancies: Not stated in the advert
- Date Posted: 16 October 2026
- Closing Date: 27 October 2026
- Reference Number: VP1DB991B5
- Visa Sponsorship: Applicants requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply and will be considered.
- Professional Registration: Current UK professional registration is required.
About Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council’s Children, Education and Families directorate works to improve outcomes for children, young people and families across the county.
The council focuses on building positive relationships, empowering families and supporting people through a restorative, relationship-based approach to social care. It is committed to investing in children’s services and delivering effective family support and safeguarding.
About the Supervising Social Worker Role
The successful candidate will manage a caseload of mainstream and kinship foster carers and the children in their care. You will help ensure that children’s voices are heard, their needs are met, and foster carers receive appropriate support.
Working within a strengths-based approach, you will collaborate with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver high-quality services that meet relevant legislation, government guidance and local safeguarding procedures.
You will also prepare written reports, maintain accurate electronic case records, and record activities in line with performance management requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of mainstream and kinship foster carers and support the children in their care.
- Ensure children’s views, needs and welfare remain central to social work practice.
- Support foster carers using a strengths-based and relationship-focused approach.
- Maintain accurate case records and performance management information using ICT systems.
- Prepare and submit written reports when required.
- Apply relevant legislation, safeguarding guidance, policies and procedures.
- Keep the Assistant or Team Manager informed of significant case developments.
- Chair meetings and engage proactively with partner agencies.
- Travel to visit clients and attend meetings within and outside Oxfordshire, sometimes at short notice.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should be qualified and experienced social workers with current Social Work England (SWE) registration.
You should have:
- Good working knowledge of services for children, young people, families, carers and partner agencies.
- A sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, policies, procedures and professional practice standards.
- The ability to prepare clear written reports and maintain accurate case records.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to chair meetings and work effectively with partner agencies.
- The flexibility to travel to client visits and meetings, including occasional travel at short notice.
A working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and the cycle of change, particularly their application to children and families, would be beneficial.
The detailed job description should be consulted for the full requirements.
Salary and Employee Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a range of benefits, including:
- Salary: £39,481 to £46,579 per year.
- Relocation allowance: Up to £8,000.
- Annual leave: Starting at 30 days per year, plus bank holidays.
- Pension: Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Flexible working: Options may include flexi-time, job sharing, part-time working and other arrangements, subject to service requirements.
- Learning and development: Opportunities to develop professional skills and knowledge.
- Wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme with 24-hour access to health and wellbeing support.
- Family-friendly policies: A range of policies to support employees and their families.
- Additional benefits: Childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work scheme, electric car scheme and discounts on travel, holidays, insurance, food, health and leisure activities.
Important: The £8,000 relocation allowance is a maximum amount; the advert does not confirm that every successful applicant will receive the full amount.
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Join Our WhatsApp ChannelIs Visa Sponsorship Available?
Yes. The advert explicitly welcomes applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Oxfordshire County Council states that these applications will be considered alongside all other applications.
However, sponsorship is not guaranteed for every applicant. Candidates must meet the role’s eligibility requirements, including the requirement for current UK professional registration. Applicants should confirm their individual eligibility and sponsorship arrangements directly with the employer.
Working Arrangements and Office Location
The role is based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3RG.
The council is open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part-time working, job sharing, flexi-time, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the needs of the service. The advertised position itself is full-time.
The council is transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations following the closure of County Hall. Applicants will be informed if their office base is affected. The advert states that reimbursement will not be provided for travel arising from this office-location change.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
The council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Successful applicants will be expected to share this commitment.
Overseas applicants who have lived outside the UK for the required periods may also need to provide criminal record certificates in line with the applicable UK requirements.
Equality, Diversity and Guaranteed Interviews
Oxfordshire County Council welcomes applications from people of diverse backgrounds and is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
The council guarantees interviews to eligible disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. It also offers guaranteed interviews to qualifying care leavers and eligible former members of the Armed Forces, subject to the conditions outlined in the advert.
How to Apply
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official NHS Jobs application page before the closing date.
- Closing Date: 27 October 2026
- Reference Number: VP1DB991B5
- Official Application Link:
For a confidential and informative discussion about the role, the advert lists Keeley Barnes at keeley.barnes@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
For technical problems with the application system, contact careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
Recruitment contact details are also provided in the original advert.
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