Safeguarding and Independent Reviewing Officer – Pledge (ID 02376)

Job Description

Job title: Safeguarding and Independent Reviewing Officer – Pledge (ID 02376)
Job Category: Social Care Qualified
Location: Churton Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3ND, Denbighshire County Council
Hours per week: 37
Salary: £30.50 per hour
Job Purpose
The ability to chair complex meetings to a high standard and ability to negotiate and resolve contentious issues.
To act as an independent chair at Child Protection meetings and Statutory Reviews as required by the Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019 and other statutory regulations and in accordance with the Social Services & Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
To rigorously monitor, assess, review and scrutinise the quality and effectiveness of Safeguarding procedures and Looked after Care and Support Plans to ensure the best outcomes for children.
To provide visible and clear guidance on professional practice to all staff across the Education and Children�s Services Service on all aspects of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in need and looked after children to ensure best outcomes.
To produce and implement clear guidance and standards and provide rigorous and independent challenge to ensure high quality practice across the department.
To contribute to the development of the North Wales Safeguarding Children Board and Conwy & Denbighshire Local Safeguarding Delivery Group, undertaking work at the direction of the Unit Manager, and to assist the Council and other agencies in meeting their wider safeguarding responsibilities.
To ensure the voice of the child/young person is heard and provide access to Independent Advocacy and Independent Visitors.
In conjunction with other members of the Safeguarding and Reviewing Unit, to develop and maintain a range of quality assurance systems in relation to departmental procedures, undertake specified audits of practice and service delivery and provide high quality advice concerning child care practice.
The post holder will play a key role, linking with Service Managers and staff in Social Care, Education, the Police, Health and other agencies, in the development of best practice in care planning and service provision for children and young people.

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities

To chair all statutory reviews for looked after children in accordance with Part 6 Code of Practice (Looked After & Accommodated Children) Social Services & Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
To act as Independent Chair and manage initial and review Child Protection Conferences, ensuring departmental and multi-agency adherence to statutory and Welsh Government requirements as per the Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019. Ensure that decisions made at these meetings are in the best interests of the child.
To rigorously scrutinise, monitor, assess, review and challenge, where necessary, the quality and effectiveness of multi-agency Care and Support Protection Plans and Looked after Care and Support Plans and to escalate any concerns that cannot be resolved by the agreed departmental escalation to CAFCASS to prevent breaches of a Childs human rights.
Ensure that the views of children, young people and their families are fully represented and that all children, young people, parents, social workers and other agencies are consulted and able to make a meaningful contribution to Child Protection Case Conferences and Reviews and that this is properly recorded.
Seek to ensure that the Local Authority fulfils its duties as a Corporate Parent.
Take responsibility for the accuracy of minutes from meetings chaired and ensure that departmental, statutory and North Wales Safeguarding Children�s Board timescales are met.
Work closely with service managers, practice leaders, social workers and other agencies where appropriate to promote best standards of practice, adherence to procedures and statutory legislation and positive outcomes for children and families.
Provide high quality advice and professional support which is informed by research and legislation to social workers and managers regarding the processes and procedures for safeguarding children, Looked after Children and standards of practice.
Take the lead in particular areas of practice and where necessary represent the department and participate in departmental, County and North Wales Safeguarding Children�s Board strategic planning and multi-agency working groups.
Contribute to and deliver Children�s Safeguarding and Multi-Disciplinary training and information sessions as required/appropriate.

Represent the Unit at local and national forums/working groups as appropriate for example All Wales IRO Group and Regional CAFCASS
Respond to formal and informal complaints made by or on behalf of children and families, by application of the Council and North Wales Safeguarding Children�s Board Complaints procedures to ensure speedy resolution and recommend revised procedures where necessary.
Deputise for the Service Manager for Safeguarding and Practice Quality when necessary.
Provide continuity throughout the child�s journey through care and develop an awareness of the child�s journey through care.
To provide performance and practice reports to senior managers meetings and others as requested and make recommendations on improvements and areas of concern.
To promote diversity and equality within the service.
To play a key role scrutinising and analysing audits of Case Files carried out by Practice Leader, Senior Managers and Head of Service. Contribute to the quarterly reports to Senior Management Team highlighting areas of concerns, trends, good and poor practice, non-compliance with process and procedures and whether or not a child�s voice has been heard.
Provide Induction/Mentoring briefings to social workers.
Develop and maintain systems for monitoring services delivered within the unit against divisional standards and performance indicators.
To chair Placed with Parents Meetings and make recommendations on the outcome to the Principal Manager, Children�s Services.
To Chair Section 5 Meetings/ Professional Concern/Position of Trust Meetings as per Wales Safeguarding Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
The post holder must have a professional qualification in Social Work i.e. Degree in Social Work, Dips, CQSW, and CSS.
At least 5 years post qualifying fieldwork experience within a child care setting is desirable.
To be able to provide independent advice in respect of Children�s Safeguarding and Looked After Children, to all levels of the service.
Detailed and current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and guidance. Knowledge of key research and practice developments in children�s services.
Proven ability to take on high level of responsibility and decision making and to use information to take critical high risk decisions
To have the relevant knowledge and skills to be able to deal with complaints and appeals against Child Protection Registration in order to prevent escalation to the Ombudsman and other relevant regulatory bodies.
Knowledge and understanding of performance monitoring and management systems.
The IRO will require the knowledge and experience to be able to diffuse high risk situations and act as a mediator in volatile situations.
The IRO will require the knowledge of conflict resolution processes.
The IRO requires knowledge of both Children and Family Law and of court process both national and internationally.
To be able to provide detailed and evidenced based reports when required for Senior Managers and Courts.
To be aware of available community resources and be able to recommend signposting where relevant
The IRO will be expected to liaise with all areas of the Legal process e.g.: Local Authority�s legal department, external solicitors and CAFCASS.
To take responsibility for own CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
To be able to provide training to various levels and services both within the Authority and externally to other agencies.