Oxfordshire County Council
Assistant Director - Countywide Services
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Help Shape the Future for Oxfordshire’s Children
About Us
Oxfordshire children’s services is a family safeguarding authority dedicated to strength-based working with our children and their families, underpinned by motivational interviewing, trauma informed and restorative practice.
Oxfordshire is a diverse county encompassing both market towns and rural landscapes, and it offers a wealth of historical sites, vibrant cultural events, and prestigious academic institutions. You will be working in an organisation that is free thinking, supportive, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We are not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced and innovation thrives.
About the Role
In this role you will lead a service function, ensuring your teams deliver the strategic and operational priorities of the service and play a key role in business planning and continuous and innovative improvements. You will have direct accountability for ensuring our children are offered good quality care in our in house foster homes, children’s homes and supported accommodation. You will be responsible on a regional basis for the RAA which is due an inspection on Adoption support.
You will be accountable for delivery, effectiveness, corporate support and community outcomes, the role is critical to the achievement of change and performance. The focus is on driving performance by translating strategy into successful service delivery that delivers excellence for the residents of Oxfordshire and forthcoming LGR.
You will be responsible for driving OCC’s Delivering the Future Together (DTFT) values, being a role model within and throughout the organisation as organisational leaders, to deliver excellent services to Oxfordshire’s residents. Delivering the Future Together, is our ambitious transformation programme enabling the organisation, to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. Lead on OCC’s value of ‘daring to do it differently’, as the organisation continues to strive to do better.
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About you
You’ll need a full driving licence and the flexibility to work countywide. The post requires a recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Delia Mann, Deputy Director for Children’s Social Care and Early Help: Delia.Mann@Oxfordshire.gov.uk
Interviews will be held on 9th of September 2026 and this will include a 10 minute presentation. The topic of the presentation will be sent to shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.
Rewards and Benefits
- Relocation expenses of up to £8,000
- A good to outstanding OFSTED rating
- Regular training opportunities
- A flexible, agile organisation
- A generous local government pension scheme
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.
How to apply
To apply, you will need to complete an online application form. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the requirements of the job role and selection criteria, as specified in the job description. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form; however, it is not mandatory. If you experience any difficulties whilst completing the application form, please contact the Recruitment Team using the Recruitment Application Enquiry Form on the Home Page.
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Our commitment 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 Forces to 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 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.
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.
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