Our client, Bexley Council is looking for a Conference Chair/Independent Review officer to join their team.

Main Purpose of Job

• The Local Authority has introduced Signs of Safety (SoS), the post holder will model and promote SoS principles and practice and develop the delivery of SoS across the service.
• Chair child protection conferences and complex children in need reviews, following the legislation, statutory requirements, policy and procedures relating to the role.
• Monitor the quality and effectiveness of social work practice by scrutinising child protection and children in need safety plans. Identify practice that is not delivering good outcomes, drift and/or delay of safety plans and constructively challenge, informally and formally through the escalation process.
• Support the continual development of children's social care services by actively contributing to training, quality assurance activity and the implementation of new statutory requirements and guidance, as well as sharing learning from evidence-based practice and reviews in relation to child protection issues.
• To develop consistency of practice and interpretation in the implementation of child care and safeguarding procedures
• Promote the participation of children and their family in meetings and in the development of their children's safety plans, seeking and listening to their feedback to inform service development.
• Establish links with all relevant social work staff/ teams and effective lines of communication. Providing consultation and advice on safeguarding procedures, policies and practice in relation to safeguarding children.
• To produce high quality reports within expected timescales which contribute to the promotion of a high quality safeguarding service.
• Liaise with the LSCB and other agencies as necessary to facilitate the development of standards and practice in work relating to SoS and safeguarding across the professional network.
• Keep abreast of research and developments in work relating to safeguarding children to inform relevant professionals.
• To ensure good practice that arises from conferences and reviews is shared and promotes a learning environment.
• Assist in the collation of statistical information on children subject to Child Protection and Child in Need Plans a as required by Dfe and the LSCB. Assist in analysing performance and audit information identifying trends in safeguarding children. Highlighting strengths and weaknesses and contributing solutions to the service improvements.
• To ensure compliance with statutory obligations towards children in need of protection and children in need, arising from Dfe regulations and guidance.
• Organisational control and development
• Contribute towards the development of good practice guide for social workers, in relation to safeguarding children.
• Undertake specific investigations where need for independent worker is identified as determined by senior managers.
• Identify training needs and contribute to multi- disciplinary training. Assist the Service Manager in
• co-ordination, and monitoring of children subject to a Child Protection and Child in Need plans
• Personal effectiveness
• To deal promptly with all matters requiring the post holders personal attention
• To be fully conversant with relevant statutory provisions and the council's constitution, processes and procedures: to develop the full range of managerial and professional skills and knowledge to satisfy the requirements of the post.
• To establish and develop effective working relationships and productive partnerships with all the relevant partners and stakeholders as required to facilitate the development of standards and practice in work relating to Children subject to Child Protection and Child in Need Plans.
• All staff working in the department have a responsibility for promoting and supporting the councils policies and procedures for safeguarding. You should ensure that you carry out your duties in a way that ensures the safeguarding and welfare of service users.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and statutory guidance related to the post and ability to translate to practice.
• Knowledge and experience of the Signs of Safety practice model.
• Have a clear understanding of what good practice looks like and ability to explain clearly to others.
• Experience of writing child in need/ child protection safety plans
• Experience of chairing formal multi-agency meetings to a good standard.
• Experience of undertaking audit activity, collect, collate and analyse information to inform service planning and resource management.
• Knowledge of the key performance indicators relating to looked after children and young people who are leaving care.
• Ability to encourage the participation of others, particularly service users in meetings.
• Promote fair access to services by challenging discrimination and oppression.
• Ability to speak and write plainly and provide clear guidance & advice to others in relation to practice, policies and procedures.
• Ability to contribute to staff development through activities such as presentations, training sessions, discussion groups, mentoring.
• Maintain and update electronic records in accordance with departmental policies, write reports as required.

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOU HAVE THE CORRECT EXPERIENCE - YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO.

Essential requirements:
* Degree in Social Work or equivalent qualification
* Registration with Social Work England
* ASYE completed

Benefits of working with Remedy
* A personal one-one service from your highly experienced dedicated consultant.
* Top tier supplier across London giving us first access to jobs
* Referral bonus - up to £250* per person placed.
* Double payrolls each week.

*Terms & Conditions apply

You will be required to fully register with Remedy for all locum positions.
To be considered for this role, please apply with your CV on the social care team.