Independent Reviewing Officer – Grade K

Job Description

Job Category : Social Care – Qualified
Location :Magdalen House, Bootle, L20 3NJ, Sefton MBC
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £35.62

JOB PURPOSE

To act as a co-ordinator and chairperson for Child Protection Conferences and Statutory Childcare Reviews and to ensure the highest standard of practice in these areas of work.

MAIN DUTIES

1. To co-ordinate and chair initial conferences and review conferences held under Sefton LSCB Safeguarding Procedures.

2. To co-ordinate and chair statutory child reviews on children looked after by the Local Authority.

3. To ensure that all conference and child care review minutes are of a high standard and that children and their families are able to contribute to the decision making process as fully as possible.

4. To promote the highest possible standards of professional practice, and to ensure a multi-agency approach to decision making in Child Protection conferences and Child Care reviews.

5. To deputise for the Resource Manager, Safeguarding, in matters relating to Safeguarding and Child Protection and Children Looked After by the Local Authority.

6. To assist in the collation and analysis of data emanating from conference and review material.

7. To maintain appropriate records and to comply with required administrative procedures.

8. To undertake Duty rota in accordance with the Allegations Against Professionals, Carers and Volunteers Procedure.

9. To Chair Allegations Meetings and Suitability Meetings.

10. To Chair Sexual Exploitation and Child in Public Care Meetings.

11. To contribute towards and participate in staff training and development programmes.

12. To liaise and negotiate with other professionals and agencies to ensure that the best possible service is provided for service users.

13. To be involved in departmental and inter-agency working groups as appropriate.

14. To advise the Resource Manager/ Service Manager responsible for Safeguarding of resource shortfalls and to recommend improved methods of working when appropriate.

15. To assist in the recruitment, selection and appointment of staff as appropriate.

16. To assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the Child Protection and Looked After Children system.

17. To prepare for, and attend supervision sessions and staff meetings.

18. To ensure that recording of information relating to service users is accurately recorded in line with departmental procedures and guidance.

19. To ensure that client data information is lawfully gathered, accurate and up-to-date and only divulged in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1984, Local Authority Circular No. 17, 1998 (Confidentiality of Personal Information) and Access to Personal Files Act, 1987 (Social Services) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/206).

20. To undertake any other duties, appropriate to the work and grade of the post, as may be directed from time to time in order to meet the exigencies of the service.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. CQSW/DSW/CSS or recognised equivalent qualification
2. Post Qualifying Awards in ChildCare
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

1. A minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience in childcare work including child protection and childcare.
2. Experience in a managerial role in children’s social work
3. Experience of chairing childcare and child protection meetings e.g. core groups, planning meetings, Child In Need meetings and strategy meetings.
4. A good understanding of current research in child protection and childcare.
5. Awareness of issues surrounding allegations against professionals, carers and volunteers.
6. Sound understanding of issues of child sexual exploitation.
7. Ability to understand procedure and advise upon issues of procedure and good practice.
8. Sound knowledge of issues surrounding planning for permanence and adoption.
9. Experience of a quality assurance role in relation to social work with children.