Independent Reviewing Officer - Cheshire East Council
**Reports To**: Safeguarding Manager (Cared for Children)
**Location**: Cheshire East Council
**Job Purpose**:
The Independent Reviewing Officer is responsible for organizing, advising, and chairing statutory reviews for Children in Care and those subject to child protection plans. The role includes monitoring the Local Authoritys implementation of all plans for these children and ensuring that statutory safeguarding and looked-after systems are effectively implemented.
**Principal Responsibilities**:
1. **Chairing Reviews**:
Chair cared-for children's (LAC) reviews or CP conference meetings, attend and chair other meetings related to a child's case, and other related meetings as required by the Safeguarding Unit.
2. **Monitoring Performance**:
Monitor the Local Authority's performance as a corporate parent by ensuring the appropriateness and implementation of plans, checking agreed actions are being implemented, and holding the authority accountable for any failures.
3. **Decision-Making**:
Decide necessary actions to meet the child's needs, endorse care plans, and ensure the child's views are understood and considered.
4. **Escalation of Issues**:
Report any failures to review cases, meet timescales, or instances of poor practice to senior management, using formal or informal channels, including court processes if necessary.
5. **Service Improvement**:
Contribute to improving Local Authority services by recognizing and reporting good practices by individuals and teams.
6. **Collaboration**:
Work with partners, other agencies, service users, and carers to ensure services comply with legislation, best practices, and promote user-centered services.
7. **Service Development**:
Lead and participate in service developments, including audits, planning, control, monitoring, review, and evaluation activities to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.
8. **Information Systems Management**:
Ensure proper use of information systems to provide relevant information to meet authority, service, and statutory requirements, including developing and implementing recording systems.
9. **Complaint Resolution**:
Acknowledge and monitor formal and informal complaints through the Council's complaints procedures, ensuring timely resolution and application of learning to professional practice.
**Person Specification**:
**Essential Qualifications**:
- Degree or equivalent qualification.
- Social work qualification - Dip SW or equivalent.
- Registered with HCPC.
**Experience**:
- Chairing statutory reviews for children in public care and child protection case conferences.
- Minimum 5 years of post-qualifying experience in child protection casework, children in care, and care proceedings.
- Experience managing or supervising other social worker practitioners.
- Experience managing multi-agency meetings and formulating SMART plans or decisions.
- Providing professional advice to colleagues and partner agencies.
- Managing change and contributing to service development.
- Involving children, families, carers, and staff in service development.
**Skills and Aptitudes**:
- Strong IT skills.
- Highly effective influencing and communication skills.
- Strong focus on delivery and high performance.
- Team player with the ability to form partnerships while maintaining a focus on child welfare and safety.
- Ability to manage conflicting agendas without detriment to the child.
- Sound judgment in high-risk and complex environments.
**Other Requirements**:
- Willingness and ability to travel throughout Cheshire East.
**Benefits of Working with Eden Brown Synergy**:
1. **DBS Check**: Processed and paid for by Eden Brown Synergy.
2. **Referral Bonus**: For referring a colleague or friend to us.
3. **Bonus**: For finding your own job.
4. **Payroll**: Twice weekly payroll services.
5. **Dedicated Recruitment Consultant**: Ongoing support throughout your job search, employment, and beyond.
**Interested?**
Please send your CV to **Mayur Rabari** at **** or call on **0114 700 3804**.
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
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