Oxfordshire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the county of Oxfordshire, serving a diverse population across urban and rural communities, including the city of Oxford, market towns and villages throughout the county. The council plays a vital role in supporting people at all stages of life, with a strong focus on protecting the most vulnerable and helping individuals, families and communities to live safe, healthy and independent lives.

The council is responsible for delivering a wide range of essential public services, including children’s and adults’ social care, education and schools, public health, fire and rescue, transport and highways, waste disposal, libraries, trading standards and emergency planning. Social workers are central to this work, operating at the heart of the organisation’s statutory responsibilities and working closely with partners across health, housing, education and the voluntary sector to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes for residents.

As one of the largest employers in Oxfordshire, the council is committed to delivering high‑quality, person‑centred services in often complex and challenging environments. It supports professional practice through strong leadership, reflective supervision and a culture that values learning, collaboration and continuous improvement, recognising the critical role social workers play in safeguarding children and adults and promoting wellbeing across communities.

Oxfordshire County Council is guided by a clear set of organisational values, including kindness and compassion, equality and integrity, accountability, and the courage to do things differently. Through ongoing transformation and service improvement programmes, the council is focused on strengthening social work practice, reducing inequality and ensuring that support is timely, proportionate and focused on what matters most to the people who rely on its services.