Job Purpose:

• To independently chair a range of statutory meetings in relation to safeguarding and looked after children as directed by Government and local Guidance
• To provide leadership across the system on matters relating to safeguarding children and the welfare of looked after children, which will include providing advice and guidance to other Council departments and external agencies.
• To promote best practice within the child protection and CLA processes and to ensure that standards and thresholds are consistently applied across the Division and partner agencies.

Duties:

• To independently chair Child Protection Conferences, Looked after reviews and complex strategy meetings ensuring that child’s wishes and feelings are fully considered and appropriately weighted while taking into account the views of parents, carers and professionals in the required decision making.
• To ensure appropriate preparation and liaison prior to all meetings. To ensure that reviews/conferences are chaired in line with Departmental and SSCB policy and procedures as well as Governmental guidance (e.g. Working Together).
• In Child protection conferences, to make decisions about risk of significant harm and where required ensure that an effective multi-disciplinary Child Protection Plan is agreed, clarifying objectives to be met, by whom, in what timescales and to include contingencies.
• To 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.
• In the role of Independent Reviewing officer to review and monitor the care plan of looked after children and raise concerns as appropriate with senior managers. To refer a case to the legal section of the Children and family court advisory and support service (CAFCASS) if every attempt to resolve the problem within the local authority has been exhausted, including to the level of chief executive.

Candidate Requirements:

• Must have an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS subscribed to the update service
• To hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with the HSPC
• Knowledge of key legislation and guidance central to the implementation of a professional social work service - especially with respect to Child Protection, Looked After Children regulations, family court processes, communicating with children and children’s rights and representation
• Experience of personally using a range of social work skills at post qualifying level to a high quality within a local authority or other recognised equivalent agency, including the supervision or management of child care casework
• Experience of holding a case load which has included child protection work, Looked after children work and court work in circumstances where issues are complex or in dispute

Please note this is a contracted position of 3-6 months with the possibility of extension depending on budgets and performance.

**Please note as an agency we can only offer an Umbrella PAYE rate for this post and confirmation of Eligibility to work in the UK will be required before submission**