Independant Reviewing Officer - Children & Families

Eden Brown

Job Description

Job Title: Independent Reviewing Officer

Service: Safeguarding (formerly Quality Assurance & Planning)

Reports to: Service Manager

Job Purpose
To review the cases of children who are looked after as laid down in Regulation 2, Review of Children's Cases Regulations 1991.

The purpose of the review process is to ensure that the child's welfare is safeguarded and promoted in the most effective way while looked after by the Local Authority.

The review will consider progress and the child's all round assessed needs and will agree both long term plans and more immediate steps that will meet these needs and promote his/her welfare.

Principal accountabilities

1.To chair reviews for children who are looked after in foster placements, community homes or placed at home with natural parents while subject to a care order.

2.To ensure that Review meetings are child-centred and maximise the possible involvement and participation of children, young people, parents and carers.

3.To produce Review reports in line with the Borough's/Council's procedures.

4.To manage a diary to optimise reviews in any time period.

5.To liaise with Social Workers who hold case responsibility for children looked after.

6.To co-ordinate the work of other statutory agencies and voluntary organisations through the Review process and further benefits of the child.

7.To act as a source of advice and consultation for staff within child care services on professional issues relating to children accommodated away from natural carers.

8.To maintain records and forms that support the Review procedures as laid down in Bourough's/Council's Manual of Procedures for Social Work Staff (Children).

9.To ensure that Review decisions are passed to the appropriate Officer when resources are required.

10.To ensure that Health, Education and other appropriate Departments contribute to the planning process.

11.To work to the objectives for children looked after as laid down by the Departments Policy for Children and Families.

The Department is committed to a Dignity at Work Policy and effective and efficient management - hence the requirement for all Managers to offer formal supervision, in line with the agreed Policy, and for all staff and Managers to jointly own the responsibility as outlined in the Policy.
Person Specification

Education and Training
·CQSW, Diploma in Social Work or recognised equivalent
·A thorough Knowledge of Children Act 1989 and in particular its application to children who are looked after
·A thorough Knowledge of the best professional standards in planning for children
·Knowledge of recent research relating to the needs of children who are looked after
·Relevant post-qualifying training - Desirable
·Particular experience or training concerning the needs of children in substitute care -Desirable

Work Experience
·A minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience of working with children and families, including children looked after by the Local Authority
·Experience of facilitating participation of children and young people in care planning
·Experience of work with representatives of statutory and voluntary agencies
·Experience in chairing decision making meetings
·Experience in providing professional advice to colleagues
·Ability to supervise the work of administrative staff
·Experience of staff supervision - Desirable
·Particular experience of the child protection issues facing children with disabilities - Desirable
·Working Knowledge of ways of obtaining effective advocacy for children and parents and experience of the complaints procedure and use of other avenues of redress - Desirable

Skills and Knowledge
·A good Knowledge of child development
·Experience of the practise challenges facing Social Workers and carers on promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with physical, sensory or learning disabilities
·The ability to promote effective participation (particularly in meetings) of children and parents
·Ability to analyse information identify the key issues and communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing in a way which is understood by children and adults
·The ability to be child-centred and focused throughout and to keep the child's welfare as the paramount consideration
·Independence of professional judgement
·Commitment to children's rights
·Commitment to equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
·Commitment to children with disabilities being treated as children first
·Persistence and determination to obtain the very best outcome for children
·Willingness to work on occasions outside of office hours (time off in lieu to be claimed)
·The ability and willingness to travel within and outside the Borough's/Council's, Willingness to undertake training relevant to the job and implement new practices and procedures
·Good time management skills
·Commitment to seeking and receiving feedback (from children, parents, carers and practitioners) on own performance in the interests of continually improving the service
·Experience of communicating effectively with children and their parents
·Ability to deal with conflict and disagreement without losing sight of the child's
·Familiarity with the principles and practises underpinning the Looking After Children, Good Parenting, Good Outcomes Systems - Desirable
·Familiarity with the issues facing local authorities in relation to promoting children's rights - Desirable
·Driver or access to transport for work purposes

Eden Brown is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Eden Brown Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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