JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Purpose
• To develop, update and provide training of to appropriate board staff and personnel in schools in child protection matters.
• To provide advice and support to schools on all aspects of child protection and to facilitate capacity building within schools on child protection matters.
• To liaise with professionals in Health and Social Services and other agencies in relation to the establishment of multi-agency working in child protection.
• To assist the Head of Service in the management and development of the service, in accordance with legislation, Department of Education guidance and the Education Authority (EA) policy and procedures.
• To deputise for the Head of Service as required.
1.Child Protection
1.1 In conjunction with the Head of Service to prepare, review and regularly update board policy and procedures on child protection in line with legislation.
1.2 To have and maintain a high level of knowledge of child protection issues (policies, procedures, research and training).
1.3 To provide training so that all relevant staff employed by the EA are aware of child protection procedures.
1.4In consultation with the Manager of Child Protection Services to be responsible for the design, organisation and delivery of training of all EA staff and all personnel in schools in all aspects of child protection.
1.5 To work on a regional basis to provide a telephone advice service on all issues relating to child protection.
1.6 To take the lead in the development of sector specific cluster/support groups for designated teachers of child protection.
1.7 To work with other EA services to review and develop pupils education in child protection
1.8 To represent the EA on Area Child Protection Panels and appropriate sub-groups.
1.9 To represent the EA at the Safeguarding Board NI subgroups.
1.10 To represent the EA at multi agency meetings and DOCPEG (designated officers in child protection education group) sub groups as required.
1.11 To participate in monitoring and auditing the service provided by the CPSS.
1.12 To liaise with professionals in Health and Social Services and PSNI in relation to the establishment of multi-agency working in child protection.
1.13 To develop child protection training on a multi-agency basis.
2 Management
2.1 To be an effective member of the CPSS team and to take on an active role in the strategic management of the work through designated membership of specific task groups.
2.2 To assist and deputise for the head of service as appropriate and in times of absence.
2.3 To be responsible for the management of finances as directed by the Head of Service.
2.4 To assist the Head of Service in the strategic planning of the CPSS through the monitoring, evaluation and updating of business plans.
2.5 To maintain and develop the CPSS, in consultation with the Head of Service, so that service targets are consistent with the EA strategic plan.
2.6 To be responsible for the delivery of effective and efficient service to school safeguarding teams and EA staff.
2.7 To undertake the mentoring of new staff within the CPSS as required.
3 Statutory Requirements
3.1 To have relevant knowledge of current and proposed education and child care legislation and the implications for the work of the EA.
3.2 To ensure that EA and school staff are conversant with current legislation and regulations relating to child employment and performance licences.
3.3 To ensure the EA CPSS meets the statutory duties under The Children (NI) Order 1995, the Safeguarding Board (Northern Ireland) Act 2012 and statutory guidance Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People (Department of Health 2017) and Department of Education circular 2017/04 Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools.
3.4 To represent the EA as necessary in court proceedings relating to Child Protection and Safeguarding.
4 Research and Development
4.1 In consultation with the Head of Service, to take a lead role in the development and delivery of in-service training for education welfare officers.
4.2 To undertake the on-going evaluation of in-service training and annual training needs analysis of School Safeguarding Teams and the EA staff.
4.3 To be responsible for the development of links with other statutory/voluntary agencies in order to facilitate good co-ordination, communication and participation in multi-disciplinary initiatives.
5 Any Other Duties
5.1 The Designated Officer for Child Protection will be required to complete other duties at times in accordance with the demands of the Head of Service.