Job Details
Your job
Manage the allegations process and undertake the role of Local Authority Designated Officer, ensuring that allegations are dealt with effectively within the multi-agency partnership and within statutory timescales.
Lead the strategic development of the management of allegations and safe working practices across agencies, including the development of an outcomes data set
In this job you will
1. Act as an initial point of contact to provide expert advice, consultation, information and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations with regard to whether allegations made fall within the scope of Working Together to Safeguard Children and CE LSCB procedures and to address practice issues in the implementation of WTSC (2010) in respect of allegations and to resolve interagency disputes in this where they arise.
2. Provide support, advice and expertise to senior managers identified in the employers’ procedures advising on the appropriate action to be followed in the consideration of referral of cases to social care and/or the police, conduct of disciplinary procedures, suspension, appropriate action with regard to false and malicious allegations and report on the application and provisions within the vetting and barring scheme including applications for unsuitability.
3. Manage, oversee and monitor progress of the investigation where allegations meet the criteria as set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010), including the effective chairing of initial and review inter-agency strategy meetings in line with the agreed timescales, and to ensure that minutes are accurate and are completed and circulated within the required timescales.
4. Implement and review procedures in liaison with other agencies to ensure there is a consistent, fair and thorough process for all adults working/volunteering with children and young people against whom allegations may be made; including a consultation process for concerns which may fall below the threshold for action ensuring that national and local requirements are met
5. Lead the development and implementation of an outcomes-based evaluation framework with performance measures, and collate, analyse and report monthly on this to SMT, quarterly to LSCB, annually to DfE and elsewhere as required in order to assist agencies to develop and review their service development requirements.
6. Ensure that agencies respond appropriately to allegations and have safe recruitment practices that reflect best practice in accordance with statutory guidance
7. Establish, conduct and report on a robust audit process on both an inter and intra agency basis, tools and programme to verify multi-agency compliance with policy and procedures and the quality of contribution across the range of requirements within the managing allegations and safe recruitment standards to improve outcomes
8. across the authority and other agencies.
9. Work closely with managers and practitioners in the Children’s Services Directorate and, as directed, to attend their management/team meetings in order to co-ordinate and feedback relevant practice issues, and to maintain and establish effective liaison with all appropriate agencies working to safeguard children and young people in Cheshire East, this includes contributing to the development of local child protection forums and any future locality based inter-agency teams.
10. Lead in developing and updating appropriate standards, tools, stystems and processes using national, regional and local experience together with outcomes evaluation information gathered, to identify any significant gaps in the quality, process, training, management or practice in implementation of the requirements at all levels, and to take a lead across agencies to ensure all practice is best practice.
11. Keep informed of new developments in relation to policy and practice issues in relevant child protection work and to provide professional advice on such issues to the Children’s Services Directorate and the LSCB, and to assist the Principal Manager of Safeguarding in ensuring that relevant academic research, government directives and practice developments are widely disseminated, understood and integrated into practice across the service and partner agencies.
12. Contribute to the identification of multi-agency training needs and awareness raising in relation to allegations made against adults who work with children and promoting safe working practice, and to assist the LSCB Trainer in development and delivery of appropriate multi-disciplinary training programmes and collaborate to develop and implement a Directorate training plan to support the procedures for managing allegations and promoting safer working practices.
13. Assist the Principal Manager for Safeguarding in the production of the Service Plan, the LSCB Buisness plan, the Directorate and Divisional business plans and to assist in the work of the subcommittees of the LSCB and to take a lead role as directed by the Principal Manager for Safeguarding.
14. Take a strategic lead in pursuing new relevant policy and practice and service planning initiatives on behalf of the Safeguarding Children and Quality Assurance Unit, the Children’s Services Directorate and across the Council, and LSCB partners, as appropriate.
15. Represent Cheshire East Local Authority and Local Safeguarding Children Board at regional meetings for Local Authority Designated officers, and to represent the Principal Manager Safeguarding Children Quality Assurance Unit at relevant meetings, as required.
In this job you will need
Qualifications Degree level education
– Management training qualification e.g. NVQ level 4
– The possession of a recognised social work qualification –CQSW/CSS/DipSW or equivalent and must be registered with the GSCC. Application Form and validated certificates
Experience
-Experience of interagency collaborative working.
-Experience of working in a supervisory capacity with other workers including disciplinary proceedings.
-Extensive managerial experience
-Substantial experience of work with children and families, including child protection, looked after children and children in need
-Relevant experience in providing child protection guidance and advice in complex cases to other professionals
-Experience of chairing multi-agency meetings.
-Substantial experience of multi-agency working at operational and strategic levels.
-Experience of training activities, particularly inter-agency training, involving the exercise of presentation skills.
-Experience of working in a supervisory capacity with other workers including disciplinary proceedings.
-Experience of service development including writing and implementing policies and procedures
Knowledge
-Knowledge of adult learning
-A thorough understanding of relevant legislation and guidance
-Knowledge of relevant personnel procedures relating to the management of allegations and safe recruitment and management of staff Interview/Presentation
Theories, Techniques, Concepts Detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of key agencies (e.g. schools, police,. Children’s social care), in managing
allegations against adults working with children.
-Knowledge of guidance in respect of care and control and the use of restraint.
-Extensive knowledge and understanding of current policy and practice issues in safeguarding children and young people, with particular reference to managing allegations and safe working practices
If you are interested in this role please do reach out to me via email or telephone!
amberrayment@carringtonblakerecruitment.com
020 753 766 07
