Bury Council has a new permanent position available for an Independent Reviewing Officer/Child Protection Case Conference Chair to work full time based in Bury, Greater Manchester.
Location and Contract Details
Location: Bury, Greater ManchesterWorking Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £52,413 – £53,460 per annum
The Council is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the well‑being of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees to uphold this dedication. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check via the Disclosure and Barring Service at the appropriate level.
Benefits of the Role
* Convenient Parking: Complimentary car parking pass
* Professional Fee Coverage: Reimbursement of your Social Work England registration fees
* Work‑Life Balance: Flexible and adaptable working arrangements to encourage and help you maintain a healthy balance
* Educational Incentives: Reward of up to £1,000 upon successful completion of the practice educator programme for social work students
* Training and Development: Access to extensive training programmes
* Health and Fitness Benefits: Exclusive discounts on gym memberships and access to salary sacrifice schemes
* Generous Leave Policy: Attractive annual leave allowance with Greater Manchester Combined Authority continuous service commitment
* Financial Security: Participation in a highly competitive local government pension scheme
Main Responsibilities
* Provide high‑quality social work services to children in need and their families, adhering to the principles outlined in the Children Act.
* Conduct detailed assessments and inquiries for children who may have experienced or are at risk of significant harm; seek legal orders as needed with appropriate management and legal advice.
* Engage with service users in various environments, including their homes, the office, and other relevant settings for social work practice.
* Draft comprehensive and professional reports for court proceedings and other purposes.
* Represent the Local Authority in court, providing verbal evidence during public and private hearings and presenting written evidence as required.
* Maintain accurate client records in compliance with statutory and departmental requirements.
* Participate in and, where necessary, lead child protection conferences, statutory reviews, core groups, and departmental meetings.
* Represent the Local Authority during case transfers between authorities, ensuring smooth transitions.
* Assist in the development and execution of plans for children in need, including child protection, looked‑after children, and family support.
* Contribute to the team’s effectiveness by attending team meetings and supporting team development initiatives.
* Provide cover to the Children and Families Social Work Teams as needed.
* Apply a broad range of social work skills, methods, and techniques when working directly with service users.
* Work cooperatively with other social workers and professionals as deemed appropriate by the Fieldwork Team Manager or their supervisors.
* Assist in the organization and administration of social work duties associated with the role.
* Provide information to aid in the planning, implementation, or monitoring of services for departmental or official purposes.
* Work effectively within established professional and family networks to support individual children and their families.
* Follow departmental, council, and government policies and procedures diligently.
* Participate in supervision as per departmental guidelines and adhere to any plans or commitments made during supervision sessions.
* Lead meetings within child protection procedures when agreed upon by the Team Manager or Fieldwork Managers.
* Advocate for clients with other local authority departments and with private and voluntary agencies, ensuring no conflict with the role of a local authority employee.
* Participate in the Social Work duty rota, providing support as required.
* Be responsible for and dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, ensuring their protection from harm.
Key Requirements
* Possess a degree in Social Work (CQSW, CSS, DiPSW, or equivalent qualification)
* Must be registered with Social Work England
* Comprehensive knowledge of the Children Act 1989
* Thorough understanding of the developmental stages of children and adolescents
* Proven ability to conduct detailed analyses and produce high‑quality written reports
Reasonable Adjustments
If you have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.
Why Bury?
Bury Council is community‑focused and dedicated to empowering its residents and social workers. Joining the team means working in a supportive environment where professional growth is encouraged. The Council offers flexible working arrangements, balancing time between the office, home, and the community.
Supportive, progressive, and communityfocused
Bury is committed to equality, valuing the unique skills and experiences of all individuals. The Council guarantees interviews for disabled people, care leavers, armed forces personnel (including veterans and reservists), and carers, provided they meet essential criteria.
Nurturing Training
Including: Aspiring Managers Programme and accredited Best Interests Assessor training and opportunities to develop new and specialist skills.
Flexible Working
37‑hour full‑time working week with a range of opportunities to work flexibly, which we are happy to discuss.
Work‑life Balance
A range of flexible and adaptable working initiatives to maintain a healthy work‑life balance.
Work, live and thrive in Bury Council
Bury offers a strong sense of community, making it ideal for social workers. With various local charities and support services, it provides opportunities to engage with and support vulnerable groups in a collaborative environment. The town also boasts affordable living compared to nearby Manchester, with great transport links to the city and easy access to nearby countryside. Bury combines convenience, a welcoming community, and a balanced lifestyle, making it the perfect place to live and practice.
Employee Testimonial
"We get so much support, from the development team, from management – you never feel alone. We have the opportunity as social workers to achieve, there are so many opportunities. I’ve worked in Bury for 25 years and it feels like a big family. I feel proud to say I am a social worker here." – Sonia, Social Worker at Bury Council
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