Job Ref: 212750422

Date: 2020-11-13 14:42:14

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PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of the Child Protection Conference Chair is to chair child protection conferences in line with the requirements described in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the Berkshire Child Protection Procedures. The post-holder will lead complex multi-agency child protection meetings and will monitor the quality and effectiveness of social work practice by scrutinising child protection plans and constructively challenging actions and interventions that are not delivering the required outcomes for children and young people.

The role of the Independent Reviewing Officer is to ensure that the local authority is meeting its statutory requirements in relation to each looked-after child in line with the requirements described in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (2010) and related guidance. The post-holder will lead multi-agency and multi-disciplinary reviews, monitor care planning for each looked-after child, and constructively challenge actions, placements and interventions that are not delivering the required outcomes for looked-after children.

Qualifications –

* Educated to degree level with proven evidence of continuing professional development.

* Current HCPC registration.

Experience –

* Substantial experience of social work practice with children and young people, including responsibility for allocated child protection casework and direct work with children and families. The candidate should have at least 5 years post qualifying experience and preferably in management.

* Substantial experience of chairing complex multi-agency and multi-professional meetings in a way that encourages constructive participation and focuses on the needs of the child and the decisions that must be taken.

* Experience of working with professionals and managers from partner agencies, and a sound understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the professional network within children’s services

* Experience of listening to the views of children and young people, and in encouraging and supporting their constructive participation in services.

* Experience of using quality assurance frameworks and systems to monitor and review the effectiveness of services.

* Experience of collecting, analysing, interpreting and presenting information in an appropriate way to inform the planning and review of services.

Knowledge, skills and abilities –

* High-level verbal and clear written communication skills, including the ability to use different communication styles and techniques to engage with different audiences.

* Excellent knowledge and understanding of legislation, statutory frameworks, guidance, legal processes and national policy affecting services for children, young people and families, particularly in relation to child protection and services for looked-after children.

* Proven knowledge and understanding of child development, child care practice and child protection.

* Confidence and ability to work constructively with senior managers and professionals to offer a critical perspective, appropriate challenge, and represent the best interests of the child.

* Ability to look objectively at evidence and opinion and assess the implications of the evidence and opinions on which judgements should be based; the ability to make clear, reasoned and independent judgements.

* Strong organisational ability, including the ability to plan time and workloads in order to meet agreed deadlines.

Please note this is a contracted position of 3-6 months with the possibility of extension depending on budgets and performance.

**Please note as an agency we can only offer an Umbrella PAYE rate for this post and confirmation of Eligibility to work in the UK will be required before submission

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