Children & Learning. Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Team

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE: Independent Reviewing Officer/Child Protection Conference Chair POST NO: DEPARTMENT: DIVISION: RESPONSIBLE TO: GRADE: Children & Learning Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Team Service Manager Safeguarding and Quality Assurance M4 PURPOSE OF POST: To Chair Reviews of Looked After Children Reviews and Child Protection Conferences as required in statute. To be jointly responsible for the maintenance of a system to ensure that reviews of Looked After Children and Child Protection Conferences are completed within statutory timescales and to high standards. To contribute to the development and quality assurance of service standards in the field of Looked After Children and children subject to Child Protection Plans. ORGANISATION CHART Service Manger Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Business Manager LSCB (M4) Business Manager Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Team (M2) X8 Independent Reviewing Officers (M4) Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) (M4) LSCB Admin (L4) LAC Admin (L3) 3 x Conference secretaries (L4) LADO Admin L3 1

2 PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: To work as an Independent Reviewing Officer, carrying out the role in accordance with statutory guidance and departmental quality standards. To ensure the effective participation of children, young people, their parents and wider families in child protection conferences and review meetings for Looked After Children. To chair Child Protection Conferences, ensuring that they meet the quality standards laid down by the department. Responsibility for developing and quality assuring policies and procedures in the area of Looked After Children and children subject to Child Protection plans in conjunction with other senior managers in addition to ensuring actions carried out comply with Council Policies and Procedures. To input and maintain records of child protection conferences and LAC reviews and other contacts relating to children on the children s electronic case recording system. To contribute to quarterly and annual service reports and plans as required including collection, analysis and reporting of relevant data. To work as part of Children s Services Management Team e.g. contribute to strategic planning and development process and represent the service in interagency or corporate forums as appropriate. To work in conjunction with operational managers and all other staff to ensure that child protection and looked after children systems are fully and effectively implemented within the service. % To provide training and information to operational staff as required. 2

3 DIMENSIONS: Supervisory Management: The post deputises for the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Manager during absence. The post also deputises for the Business Manager during absence e.g. supervision of conference secretaries and/or administrators. Financial Resources: N/A. However, the post holder makes recommendations relating to packages of care which may require additional resources impacting on expenditure. Physical Resources: N/A Other: N/A Physical Environment: The post holder will be office based with meetings/visits on a daily basis generally involving travelling. Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. Therefore, it is essential in making your application you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders 1974 (Exemptions) (Amendments) Order Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are spent under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment. JOB CONTEXT This post will be part of the quality assurance and audit section of the children s services division which will monitor and report to senior management on practice standards and performance indicators. The post requires extensive experience of decision making in child protection and child care practice in order to fulfil responsibilities in chairing child protection meetings and statutory child care reviews. The post holder has responsibility to ensure that departmental policies, procedures and practice standards are adhered to, assisting staff and managers to do this. 3

4 Person Specification This acts as selection criteria and gives an outline of the types of person and the characteristics required to do the job. Essential (E) :- without which candidate would be rejected Desirable (D):- useful for choosing between two good candidates. Please make sure, when completing your application form, you give clear examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Essential How Measured Desirable How Measured Experience Substantial experience working with looked after children and children who are subject to child protection PQSW or equivalent plans, including complex legal proceedings Supervision of staff Demonstrable experience of developing and managing policies and procedures Skills and Abilities Ability to authoritatively Chair key multi agency meetings, ensuring that all agencies contribute appropriately Ability to communicate with diverse audiences e.g. to manage conflict and disagreements effectively Ability to involve young people, parents and carers in meetings and in decision making Ability to work within timescales, to organise own workload and to manage time effectively Ability to manage staff An understanding of the role of Family Group Conferences. Ability to work as part of team Ability to write reports and analyse data 4

5 Equality Issues Specialist Knowledge Education and Training Ability to quality assure the work of front-line staff managing relationships to deliver service improvements Able to demonstrate a commitment to equality of service provision for all groups represented in the local community and understand the effects of discrimination on service delivery In depth knowledge and understanding of child care legislation including considerable experience of supervision and managing staff working in complex child care arenas (particularly with looked after children) Degree, Diploma in Social Work or equivalent,4 Other Requirement s Ability to work flexibly and attend evening meetings, approximately two per week Ability to travel around the borough and country-wide ( 1 = Application Form 2 = Interview 3 = Test 4 = Proof of Qualification = Practical Exercise ) We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act (199), to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post. The Job-holder will ensure that Luton Borough Council and other agencies policies are reflected in all aspects of his/her work, in particular those relating to; (i) Equal Opportunities (ii) Health and Safety (iii) Data Protection Act (1984 & 1998).

6 Supporting Statement For your Supporting Statement please ensure you answer the following questions. Tell us about your relevant experience, providing examples to demonstrate how you meet the experience criteria on the person specification. Tell us about your skills & abilities, providing examples to demonstrate how you meet the skills and ability criteria on the person specification. Tell us about your specialist knowledge, education and training relevant to this role as stated on the person specification. Give examples of your commitment to equality of service provision for all groups represented in the local community and understand the effects of discrimination on service delivery. Tell us how you are able to meet the other requirements as stated on the person specification. 6