Independent Review & Conference Officer

Opus People Solutions Ltd; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 73,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is seeking an experienced Independent Review & Conference Officer to chair Child Protection Conferences and oversee safeguarding plans, ensuring children's voices and welfare stay central. The role requires senior-level social work expertise, strong analytical and reporting skills, and the ability to challenge practice constructively.

Hybrid working pattern with face-to-face meetings across Northampton, Kettering and Daventry, 37 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Qualified and registered Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Experience in Children's Social Care at senior level (e.g., Team Manager/Practice Manager).
• Strong knowledge of child protection legislation and safeguarding frameworks.
• Skilled in chairing complex meetings and influencing outcomes.
• Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
• Provide independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection planning.
• Ensure children's views and welfare remain central to planning and decision-making.
• Monitor performance in child protection practice and identify improvement areas.
• Escalate concerns and drive remedial actions with senior leaders.
• Build multi-agency safeguarding relationships for effective collaboration.
• Analyse performance information to ensure robust protection plans.

Skills

Chairing meetings

Independent oversight

Analytical reporting

Communications

Partnership building

Education

Social Worker (SWE registered)

Post-qualification experience in Children's Social Care

Job description

About the Role

Opus People Solutions on behalf of Northampton Childrens Trust are seeking an experienced Independent Review & Conference Officer to join their team.

The role focuses on providing independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection planning, ensuring that the voice, safety and best interests of children remain at the heart of decision-making.

As an Independent Review & Conference Officer, you will chair Child Protection Conferences, provide constructive challenge to practice where required, and monitor the effectiveness of plans to safeguard children. You will be responsible for identifying areas of poor practice, reporting concerns to senior managers, and working collaboratively to drive improvements and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

Location: Northampton, Kettering & Daventry (for face-to-face meetings)

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2 days per week attending meetings in person across Northampton, Kettering and Daventry

Rate: £40 per hour (Umbrella)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Key Responsibilities

• Chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
• Provide independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection planning.
• Ensure that children's views, wishes and welfare remain central to planning and decision-making.
• Monitor the Trust's performance in relation to child protection practice and identify areas for improvement.
• Escalate concerns, challenge practice where necessary, and work with senior leaders to implement remedial actions.
• Develop positive working relationships with social workers, managers and partner agencies to ensure effective multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
• Analyse performance information and case evidence to ensure robust and effective child protection plans are in place.

About You

• A qualified and registered Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• An experienced practitioner with significant post-qualification experience within Children's Social Care, ideally at Team Manager, Practice Manager or equivalent level.
• Highly knowledgeable in child protection legislation, policy and statutory guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Children Act 1989, and related safeguarding frameworks.
• Skilled in chairing complex meetings, managing professional challenge, and influencing positive outcomes for children.
• An excellent communicator with strong analytical and report-writing abilities.
• Confident in working independently whilst maintaining strong partnerships across agencies.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As this role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules.

About Northamptonshire Children’s Trust

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust was established in November 2020 to deliver Children’s Services on behalf of the newly established North and West Northamptonshire Councils. The Trust is wholly owned and funded by the Councils but operates independently, creating unique opportunities to innovate, develop new approaches and deliver excellent outcomes for children and families.

The Trust is committed to creating a culture where high-quality professional practice can flourish, empowering practitioners to work at the forefront of safeguarding and service improvement while making a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

If you are an experienced safeguarding professional looking for a rewarding opportunity to influence practice, provide independent challenge, and improve outcomes for children across Northamptonshire,