Conference Chair & Independent Reviewing Officer

Children's Services

£44,863 - £48,797 per annum plus market rate supplement of £6,000

Full time, 37 hours

Permanent

Our firmly established Conference and Review Service has a vacancy for a Conference Chair & Independent Reviewing Officer post. In Bedford Borough, we support the dual role believing this provides continuity for children and families in care planning. This role requires you to be passionate about children, tenacious, knowledgeable and driven to pursue the best outcomes for all children.

You will chair Child Protection Conferences and Reviews for Looked after Children and be responsible for identifying any issues that may be affecting a child/young person's welfare or preventing them from achieving permanence in a timely manner. You will take the lead in promoting and further developing high standards in Conferences and Review processes through quality assurance monitoring.

You will be an advocate for children and have well developed communication skills in direct work to promote their consultation and participation. You will also be skilled in promoting the involvement of parents and carers and have the ability to work in a demanding multi agency environment. As a proactive professional, you will set high standards, shape ideas, and promote more effective practice using new approaches and ideas wherever appropriate. You will be responsible for reporting on the local authority's performance as corporate parent and to escalate concerns to the appropriate management level using escalation and dispute resolution processes.

You will have a high level of research knowledge underpinning your practice and be fully informed about current policy and guidance; be able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage conflicting priorities effectively.

Bedford Borough is committed to ensuring caseloads are in line with statutory guidance to fulfil the key core functions of both statutory roles. You will be supported through regular supervision and a well-planned induction.

To be a successful member of our team you will be Social Work England registered professional; with a social work qualification; an enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role. You will also have experience of management and/or supervision and bring proven experience of outcomes. You will need to hold a current driver's license and have access to a car.

If you are looking for your next step, please send your CV to socialcare @guidantglobal.com

Closing Date: 31st January 2021.

Guidant is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.