About the Role:
We are looking for a dedicated Conference Chair to join the Child Protection Team in Reading Borough Council.
Contracted Hours: 37 hours per week (Full-Time)
Key Responsibilities:
- To provide independent advice and guidance to designated managers / employers, the police and children’s social care, regarding the management of concerns and allegations against staff, carers and volunteers.
- To lead on the operational management of concerns and allegations about people who work with children. To ensure that robust systems are in place to give prompt advice on allegation management thresholds. To manager and monitor the progress of cases, including through the chairing of Allegations Management Meetings.
- To maintain a contemporaneous recording during and at the conclusion to the safeguarding of all children.
- To ensure information and guidance regarding allegations against staff, carers and volunteers is kept up to date and in keeping with statutory guidance and good practice.
- To gather, analyse and present performance management information regarding the management of allegations. To provide reports on service activities and performance to relevant forums, including the West of Berks Safeguarding Childrens Partnership.
- To immediately advise the Service Manager and Director of Childrens Social Care, about potentially high-profile situations and significant safeguarding matters.
- To contribute to the strategic and operational development of allegation management and related areas of safeguarding across the council and WBSCP area
- To work collaboratively with organisations to promote and develop good practice in working with children to safeguard and promote their welfare.
- To provide guidance and training to designated officers and other key managers of organisations working with children, with the aim to strengthen their safer organisational practice.
- To respond to concerns about practice in all organisations within the Reading area, including by constructive challenge.
- To contribute to the operation of the Reviewing Conferencing and LASO Service, demonstrate leadership on improvements, carrying out observations of practice and audits, to improve the safeguarding and protection of all children in the Reading area.
- To work collaboratively with the Service Manager and Deputy Service Manager and provide cover for them in their absence.
- To chair statutory Reviews for Children Looked After (CLA) by the Local Authority according to legislative requirements, policy and procedures, and monitor the performance of the Local Authority in relations to children’s cases and Care Plans.
- To chair Child Protection Conferences (CPCs) according legislative requirements, policy and procedures, and monitor the progression of case management and protection plans.
- To be responsible for the accurate recording of CLA and CPSs in line with company policy and procedures ensuring that services and plans are child centered, needs based and outcome focused.
- To provide guidance to social workers and manages in relation to the planning, review and conferencing processes and procedures and affectively fulfil the responsibilities of a critical friend.
- To undertake specific projects, investigations and training in order to contribute to the development of service delivery, referencing evidence-based practice, performance indicators and relevant research.
- To take reasonable care of your own health and safety and co-operate with management, to enable compliance with the company’s health and safety rules and legislative requirements.
- To undertake such personal training as may be deemed necessary to meet the duties and responsibilities of the post.
- Respond flexibly to changing demands and circumstances.
Requirements:
- Qualified Social Worker
- Registered with Social Work England
- Eligible to work in the UK
Interested?
For more information on this role or to apply, get in touch with our vendor department who will arrange for a specialist consultant to get in contact with you:
0203 906 8670