Practice Improvement and Quality Assurance Officer

Job Description

Job Title : Practice Improvement and Quality Assurance Officer
Location : Halton Borough Council
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date : Immediate start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £259.83 per day

Main Purpose of the Role
The role will support the development of the quality of the service’s audit activity as a key driver to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families. The post holder will undertake qualitative audits of practice within Early Help and Children’s Social Care and will lead and participate in key aspects of quality assurance activity providing independent and accountable evaluation of practice and outcomes against legal frameworks, practice standards and good practice.
These objectives will be delivered through audit activity, moderation of the quality of audits to ensure accuracy and the identification of strengths and learning, writing reports on findings and presenting these to varying audiences of managers and practitioners, and through the delivery of training in relation to audit activity. Strong analytical and communicational skills are essential.

Education / Qualifications
Qualified Social Worker

Social Work England registration

Desirable
Post qualifying management or Practice Educator award

Experience
At least 3 years recent practice experience in the delivery of direct support to children, young people and families.
The ability to deliver strengths-based reflective practice.
Experience of Ofsted grading and evaluation criteria as well as a clear view about what Good looks like.
Experience of quality assurance and undertaking audits.
Experience of identifying good practice and challenging practice of practitioners and managers.
Experience and delivery of individual and group work activity.

Knowledge
Understanding of child development including ages and stage related development from 0 to 19 and the impact of adverse childhood experiences and therefore the implications for practice.

Knowledge of key legislation and policy frameworks surrounding early help and children’s services and their application.

Skills & Abilities
A strengths based, systemic approach
Ability to lead single or multiagency thematic auditing activity.
Ability to critique practice and records, recognising, celebrating, and challenging poor practice.
Capable of working under pressure and acting decisively when required
Committed to teamwork and a good team player.
Receptive to new ideas and approaches.
Ability to work positively and constructively with colleagues, managers and partner agencies through effective communication and networking skills.