Please note that this opportunity is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract or Secondment for a period of 12 months and is part time, offering 18.5 hours per week.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

The Opportunity

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

This role leads management of activity in relation to statutory inspection (Ofsted); internal/ external QA peer reviews; and commercial relationships with external authorities as an CSC Improvement Partner. With a sound understanding of Childrens Services, the postholder represents the function, building credible, influential relationships with senior leaders both internally and externally.

As the lead for inspection activity for Children's Social Care, you will prepare and organise the service for all inspection activity and act as the key liaison person for Ofsted during inspections. You will liaise with managers across the function and with other stakeholders to ensure the service has all the necessary documentation, data and other preparatory work to ensure we remain 'Ofsted ready'. A detailed knowledge of the Ofsted inspection framework is highly desirable.

Accountabilities

• Providing up to date knowledge, expertise and guidance to the organisation on statutory inspection frameworks for Childrens Social Care
• Development of plans to ensure the service is well prepared for any statutory inspection activity, minimising risk and keeping the service 'ever ready' for inspections and annual engagement activity with Oftsted through ongoing preparation and liaison with colleagues across the Authority.
• Engaging and preparing senior and frontline staff for the inspection experience (including managing their own and others' anxieties) and ensuring they know what is expected of them.
• Builds and maintains a key relationship with Ofsted Lead Inspector, accountable for quality of all information disclosures; using judgement (without need for escalation to senior leadership) on consideration response to information requests
• Oversees the ongoing co-ordination and delivery of the Inspection portfolio for Essex Children and Families
• Lead triangulation, analysis and reporting of learning from inspection activity, locally, regionally and nationally to drive improvement supported by , developing presentations and workshops

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 3 or equivalent by experience. Experience of successfully providing project delivery or programme support.
• Good operational knowledge and experience within children and families' services and across partner agencies and stakeholders, and comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory and inspection framework.
• Effective communicator able to build good relationships with a range of colleagues and stakeholders; assertive in communications with the ability to persuade, influence and negotiate effectively.
• Uses initiative and judgement and decision-making skills in providing quality assurance to the work undertaken for customers.
• Proven ability to work flexibly, be proactive and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Works well under pressure with a high level of emotional resilience, able to work and respond at pace.
• Strong Excel/IT capabilities in and numerically literate with strong report writing and organisational skills.

The successful candidate will be:

• A pro-active self-starter who is able to work under their own initiative
• Highly organised with the ability to develop systems and processes to meet the business need
• Confidence in developing and working with spreadsheets
• Experienced in managing multifaceted projects or workstreams
• Confident in talking with senior managers, Members, inspectors and external stakeholders. Able to influence and negotiate where necessary.
• An excellent written communicator with the ability to address and engage a variety of audiences. Experience of drafting guidance, communications and presentations is essential.
• Able to work under pressure and to deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Interested in national social work policy and issues and how they interface with inspection

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England's oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest - Basildon and Harlow - are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career.

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.