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Reviewing Officer - Safeguarding & QA (C&F)

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex, Chelmsford
Salary
£39168.0 - £47405.0 per annum + Plus Excellent Benefits Package
Closing date
9 Oct 2020

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Job role
Social Worker
Contract Type
Full time

The Role
To chair and review Fostering Households in accordance with National Minimum Standards (2002) and Regulations. To consider the development needs and evaluate the placements that the Foster carer(s) have undertaken in the past year.

Job Purpose
Consider future approval of Foster Carer(s) and present to Fostering Panel. Ensure Household reviews are timely and in keeping with Essex CC Guidance for HHR. To chair reviews requiring early review following a Complaint or Sec47 Child Protection Enquiry. Key

Accountabilities
* To carry out Reviews of fee paid foster carers, connected person carers, supported lodgings and private fostering arrangements.
* To ensure Reviews of Foster Carers are child-centred & involve consultation with children/young people in placement, children who foster, foster/shared carers, parents, education & health, and the Child/Young Persons Social Worker.
* To evaluate at the review the previous year's placements.
* To ensure that each Foster carers Personal Development Plan is in place.
* To ensure each Fostering Household has a Safer Caring agreement relevant to the children and young people currently in placement.
* Where appropriate to consult with the Independent Reviewing Officer for the child/ Young Person.
* To review whether foster carers are adequately contributing to the care plans for young people in placement, using the Five Outcomes (Enjoy and Achieve, Achieve economic wellbeing, Staying Safe, Making a Positive Contribution, Being Healthy)
* To take into account all other members of the Foster Carer's Household including their own children
* To complete the HHR Report within five days of the review.
* Ensuring that the report is analytical and makes clear recommendations for panel and the Fostering service.
* To attend Fostering Manager's Meetings as required and the Fostering team meetings at least 4 times per year.
* Each Full time HHRO will hold approximately 160 planned reviews per year.
* To also respond to requests for early reviews following Allegations or Complaints against foster carers.
* To proficiently contribute to the electronic data base for HHR. To be competent in the use of Protocol/ICS.
* To be available to work outside normal office hours as required in order to maintain the duties of this post.
* To contribute to annual auditing fostering household files and complete audit form, raise disputes where resolution at local level cannot be achieved.
* Following the dispute resolution process. (NB dispute process to follow)
* To complete a monthly report detailing management information required - number of reviews carried out, timescale for completing the report, number of disputes raised, feedback from key stakeholders, the number of reviews as a result of allegations or complaint, those reviews required to return to panel for review of approval.
* To have a working knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the Fostering Minimum Standards and Regulations 2002.
* To participate in quality assurance function annual auditing, monthly reporting.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

* CQSW, Diploma in Social Work, Degree in Social Work or recognised equivalent
* Willingness to undertake training relevant to the job and implement new practices and procedures.
* Registered with Social Work England
* Post Qualifying Award.
* Management Qualification. NVQ 4 or equivalent.
* A minimum of 4 years post qualifying experience in Children & Family Services
* Experience of working in the fostering service
* Experience of communication effectively with children and foster carers
* Experience of constructively Challenging Practice to raise Standards of Care.
* Experience in chairing meetings where recommendations are made
* Experience of writing succinct analytical reports with clear outcomes and timescales.
* Experience of raising disputes via dispute procedures.
* Particular experience or training relating to Family Placements.
* A thorough knowledge of Children Act 1989 and Fostering Minimum Standards and Regulations 2002.
* Knowledge of care planning regulations for Children in Public care.
* Knowledge of child protection practice and process in relation to Sec 47 and subsequent processes relevant to Fostering.
* Knowledge of recent research relating to the needs of children who are looked after
* The ability to promote effective participation (particularly in meetings) of foster carers and children.
* The ability to deal with challenging meetings whilst maintaining firm focus.
* The ability to prioritise work and manage time effectively
* IT competent in Data base, protocol and ICS.
* The ability to write succinct reports in good English.
* The 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.
* Ability to give constructive feedback to carers, practitioners and others.
* Commitment to seeking and receiving feedback (from children, parents carers and practitioners) on own performance in the interests of continually improving the service
* The ability to be child-centred and focused throughout and to keep the child's welfare as the paramount consideration.
* Independence of professional judgement and understanding of Organisational process and how to achieve change.
* Commitment to children's rights
* Commitment to promoting Diversity within Fostering.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

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