Independent Reviewing Officer

CRA Group Limited; Sefton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A social service organization based in the UK is looking for an individual to manage Child Protection Conferences and Statutory Childcare Reviews. The role involves chairing multi-agency meetings, promoting children's voices, and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations. Successful candidates should have a strong understanding of statutory requirements, excellent communication skills, and experience in collaborative decision-making. This position is crucial for enhancing outcomes for children and their families and maintaining the highest professional standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in chairing multi-agency meetings.
• Strong understanding of statutory procedures for Child Protection.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Chair multi-agency Looked After Children Reviews and Child Protection Conferences.
• Advocate for children's voices in proceedings.
• Collaborate with professionals to achieve optimal outcomes.

Skills

Chairing multi-agency meetings

Compliance with statutory requirements

Excellent communication skills

Data analysis and leadership

Advocating for children's voices

Collaboration with professionals

Understanding of safeguarding

Job description

This role is pivotal in delivering high-quality services to children, young people, and their families, aiming to enhance outcomes and uphold the highest standards of practice in Child Protection Conferences and Statutory Childcare Reviews. The position requires managing the service's reputation and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations while effectively utilizing resources. The role also involves responding to new challenges and priorities to maintain the council's commitments.

• Chair multi-agency Looked After Children Reviews, Child Protection Conferences, and complex strategy meetings.
• Facilitate a multi-agency decision-making process and ensure compliance with plans.
• Schedule meetings within statutory timescales and defer if necessary due to insufficient information.
• Ensure accurate meeting records that meet statutory requirements and distribute them timely.
• Advocate for children's voices in proceedings and ensure their rights and those of their parents are addressed.
• Challenge service decisions to fulfill care plans and elevate issues to senior management when needed.
• Collaborate with professionals and agencies to achieve optimal outcomes for children and young people.
• Advise on resource shortfalls and recommend improvements.
• Promote professional practice and build relationships with key partners to improve standards and outcomes.
• Conduct management reviews and audits of cases to ensure safety and compliance.
• Analyze data from conferences and reviews, providing leadership on practice matters.
• Promote innovative best practices across the workforce and partner organizations.
• Participate in a duty system for timely issue resolution and conference organization.
• Coordinate investigations of allegations against professionals when necessary.
• Lead specific areas of care planning, including involvement with LSCB and related groups.
• Utilize relevant knowledge and research to inform service practices.
• Engage in service-wide quality assurance activities.
  Experience in chairing multi-agency meetings and decision-making processes.
• Strong understanding of statutory requirements and procedures for Child Protection and Childcare Reviews.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in complex or challenging situations.
• Ability to advocate for children and ensure their participation in care planning.
• Experience in collaborating with various professionals and agencies.
• Ability to analyze data and provide leadership on practice matters.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining a high level of professional knowledge.
• Understanding of legal and professional requirements concerning safeguarding, information sharing, and data protection.
• Ability to promote equality and diversity and address barriers to service delivery.
• Willingness to contribute to the overall development of the Service and the Council.