Job Description

Job info	Job info details
Job title	Independent Reviewing Officer – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours
Strategic team/Directorate	Childrens Services
Service	Quality Assurance
Business unit	Quality Assurance
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Service Manager, MACPT and CF Reviews
Accountable to (line manager)	Service Manager, MACPT and CF Reviews
Salary grade	Grade K
JE ref	CS35

1. Key purpose of job

To chair statutory cared for child reviews in accordance with current legislation, guidance and departmental policies and procedures.
To provide advice, guidance and training on all aspects of Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act and monitor compliance with this guidance.
To undertake the role of Designated Lead Officer under the ‘Dealing with Allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff’.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

Children and young people are safeguarded.
Effective and efficient chairing of CfC reviews to best practice standards.
CfC plans clearly identify the outcomes sought and actions being taken to achieve them.
To ensure the best outcomes and highest standards are achieved for those Children cared for by the local authority.
The provision of expert consultancy and advice in the areas of children’s cared for reviews.
Contribution to the development of multi-agency cared for children processes.
Promotion of effective multi agency working.
Promotion of corporate parenting.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
To chair Secure Accommodation Review Meetings and reviews of children in care and monitor the quality of planning in relation to those children and young people.
To provide independent specialist advice relating to children and young people in care to staff of the Children’s Services Directorate and other agencies and contribute to service and policy development.
To undertake and investigations into complaints. To work with operational managers to ensure that advocacy services are available where needed.
To carry out a quality assurance function through the challenge of poor practice and work with operational managers to overcome service deficits.
To work alongside managers and staff to ensure effective integration of all planning processes in relation to individual children and young people in care.
To undertake independent investigations and management reviews as commissioned by the Director of Children’s Services or Heads of Service.
To provide, maintain and disseminate information to other staff concerning up to date research, evidence and practice in promoting good outcomes for children and young people in care.
To ensure that the parents and anyone else involved with children and young people in care are consulted about their care / protection plan.
To contribute to development of services, policies and procedures in relation to children and young people in care.
Contributing to the work of the Torbay Children’s Safeguarding Board as directed by the Line Manager including policy development and independent management reviews.
Maintaining an up to date knowledge base, that includes: statutory requirements, policy and practice trends and contribute to training with regard to cared for children.
To undertake the responsibilities of the Designated Lead Officer under the ‘Dealing with allegations of abuse against Teachers and other staff’.
To provide advice, guidance and training on ‘Dealing with allegations of abuse against Teachers and other staff when necessary.
To liaise with internal business units and other partner agencies to ensure the effective management of allegations against Teachers and other staff.
To provide a consultation service for schools on their duties under the Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act. This will include the promotion of safe recruitment practices.
To establish systems to identify and track training needs of Chair of Governors, Head Teachers, Designated Teachers and Teaching staff.
To ensure all new education staff receive induction and refresher training on safeguarding children in education.
To ensure that model policies and procedures for all aspects of safeguarding children in education are in existence including vetting of new staff and volunteers and for sealing with allegations against teachers and other staff.
To establish support arrangements for day care providers, childminders children’s centres and extended schools.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

There are no budgetary responsibilities.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

Model excellent professional practice and standards.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

Normal working conditions.

7. Physical demands of the post

Normal physical demands.

8. Specific resources used by the post

No specific resources used by the post other than IT equipment.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

All agencies working with cared for children e.g. Health, Police, Education, Probation, Children’s Services, Adults Services etc.

Internal

All professionals working with cared for children, e.g. Social Workers, Managers, Personal Advisors, Family Help Practitioners, Family Hubs, Children with Additional Needs Team, foster carers etc.

10. Other duties

To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures and are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
This post is office based at Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay, TQ1 3DR but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
The post is eligible for hybrid working.
As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Independent Reviewing Officer – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours
Strategic team/Directorate	Childrens Services
Service	Quality Assurance
Business unit	Quality Assurance

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

Five years post qualifying experience of working with children.
The capacity to relate to children, young people, their parents, carers and care staff and professional staff at all levels.
Ability to challenge poor practice effectively.
The ability to effectively chair complex meetings and to manage contributions by all participants ensuring clear outcomes.
Problem solving and analytical abilities.
Self-motivation, personal confidence, leadership and negotiation skills.
The ability to make independent judgements that take into account the views of others but are not unduly influenced by these.
Ability to work to tight deadlines.
Provide consultation on Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act and ‘Allegations of abuse against Teachers and other staff’.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

Direct work with children and young people.
Ability to lead project or development work.
Previous experience of chairing meetings for Cared For children.
Experience of development of policies and/or procedures.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

An understanding of child development and the effects of trauma, significant harm, loss and separation on children.
An understanding of all relevant Child Care legislation and statutory guidance.
An understanding of the national minimum standards for regulated provisions (adoption, fostering, residential care).
An understanding of Section175 of the 2002 Education Act and related documentation.
Understanding of ‘Allegations of abuse against Teachers and other staff’ guidance and related documentation.
IT literate.
Ability to demonstrate independence from LA care planning.

Desirable knowledge

Human Rights legislation, Freedom of Information Act, Education Act 2002, Licensing act 2003.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

A minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience.
Supervision and management of social work staff.
Experience of effectively chairing complex multi-agency meetings.
Experience of legal proceedings and adoption.
Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.
Ability to demonstrate a child centred commitment to valuing diversity and respect for others language, religion and culture.
Proven ability to write reports and contribute to policy development.

Desirable experience and achievements

N/A

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

Social Work qualification as recognised by Social Work England.
Current Social Work Registration.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

N/A

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
Ability to accommodate hybrid working.