Independent Reviewing Officer (Grade 9)

Job Description

Job Title : Independent Reviewing Officer (Grade 9)
Job Category : Social Care & Health Qualified
Location : County Hall, Pembrokeshire County Council
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £31.00

Inside IR35
JOB PURPOSE

To chair Child Protection Conferences in line with Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019 and to assist the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for managing professional allegations in line with the procedures when allegations are made against professionals.

To deliver the council’s statutory duty for the reviewing of children’s care and support plans and the monitoring of the council’s functions as a corporate parent under part 6 of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 “Looked After and Accommodated Children” and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015; the Adoption and Children Act 2002; the Care Planning, Placement & Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015, to monitor these Reviews against established standards, and direct programmes of care and support.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1 To carry a mixed case load of children who are looked after and / or accommodated and deliver the statutory reviewing process and children subject to protective planning.
2 To chair Initial and review child protection conferences.
3 To work to the All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008.
4 To assist the team manager in line with the guidance relating to allegations made against professionals who work with children.
5 To carry out the IRO function in line with Part 6 COP Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014; the Children Act (1989) Regulations and the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and the Care Planning, Placement & Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015. This would include children placed both within Pembrokeshire’s boundaries and by the Council elsewhere in England, Scotland and Wales.
6 To chair other child-related meetings as appropriate and subject to availability.
7 To monitor Child Care Reviews against established national standards with colleagues in the integrated safeguarding team.
8 To develop standards within Pembrokeshire based on “best practice”, and to ensure that these standards are regularly reviewed against national developments.
9 To participate in and contribute to training opportunities.
10. To advise the Integrated Safeguarding Team Manager of any potential or actual difficulties.
1 To work closely with other Authorities, Agencies and Users of the service in developing good practice.
2 To undertake any other relevant duties deemed appropriate.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1 Professional Social Work Qualification and registered with the Care Council for Wales.
2 Direct experience of Child Care and safeguarding work.
3 Considerable post-qualifying experience.
4 Familiarity with all aspects of Child Care legislation and guidance .
5 Thorough working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of software.
6 Extensive experience of working in a multi-agency setting.
7 Proven ability to interact positively and effectively with children and young people “Looked After” and children on the Child Protection Register.
8 Ability to be innovative and act on own initiative..
9 Valid driving licence and car available for work.