Independent reviewing officer and child protection chair

Overview

Are you ready to be at the forefront of child protection? We’re looking for an exceptional leader to take on the vital role of Child Protection Conference Chair, a position that plays a direct and meaningful part in safeguarding vulnerable children in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the Berkshire Child Protection Procedures.

You will lead complex multi-agency child protection conferences, bringing professionals together to make robust, timely decisions that improve outcomes for children and young people. You will monitor the quality of social work practice, scrutinise child protection plans, and confidently challenge where actions are not achieving the best possible impact.

If you are passionate about safeguarding, skilled in multi-agency working, and driven to ensure every child’s safety and wellbeing, we would welcome your application.

We’re proud that Ofsted has rated our Windsor and Maidenhead services as Good, recognising our commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality support for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that reviews/conferences are chaired in line with Departmental and LSCP policy and procedures as well as Governmental guidance (e.g. Working Together).
• In Child protection conferences, to make decisions about the risk of significant harm and where required ensure that an effective multi-disciplinary Child Protection Plan is agreed upon.
• Ensure attention is paid to children’s participation and rights, eliciting their wishes and feelings in planning for them or reviewing their care arrangements. In particular to ensure that a child is seen independently when old enough and is aware of his/her right to complain and the possibility of advocacy.
• Undertake any further duties consistent with the post, grade and objectives and work of the Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service as directed by the Quality Assurance Manager.

Contract

This job description is not exhaustive. The postholder will be expected to adopt an adaptable attitude to the duties which may have to be varied subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. For an informal chat please feel to contact Tariq Kashmiri at Tariq.Kashmiri@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Requirements

• You must have significant Team Lead/Manager or IRO experience and be ready to step straight into the role.
• A diploma in Social Work or equivalent Social Work qualification and be Social Work England Registered
• Have a substantial post qualification experience of working as a child care social worker in a statutory agency.
• Experience as a Child Protection Conference Chair/Independent Reviewing Officer in a statutory setting.
• Experience of team management, performance management, training and supervision.

Please note that this is a 12 month fixed term contract position.