Job Details

Job Description – Safeguarding and Independent Reviewing Officer

Location: Denbighshire County Council
Department: Education and Children’s Services

About the Role

Denbighshire County Council is seeking an experienced Safeguarding and Independent Reviewing Officer to join its Safeguarding and Reviewing Unit. The successful candidate will play a vital role in protecting vulnerable children and young people by independently reviewing care arrangements, chairing statutory meetings and ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed. You will work closely with social workers, managers and multi-agency professionals to ensure children’s voices are heard, their rights are protected and their care plans deliver the best possible outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair Child Protection Conferences and statutory Looked After Children (LAC) Reviews.
• Monitor and scrutinise child protection plans, care plans and placement arrangements, challenging delays or inadequate practice.
• Identify, escalate and resolve safeguarding concerns to ensure children are protected from harm.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, police, health professionals, education services and CAFCASS.
• Ensure children, young people and families are meaningfully involved in decisions affecting their care.
• Undertake case file audits, quality assurance reviews and performance monitoring to improve service delivery.
• Prepare accurate statutory meeting minutes, professional reports and recommendations within required timescales.
• Provide professional advice, guidance and training to social workers and managers on safeguarding legislation and best practice.
• Handle complaints, mediate disagreements and facilitate complex multi-agency meetings.
• Contribute to safeguarding policies, service improvement initiatives and strategic planning.

Essential Requirements

• A recognised Social Work qualification, such as a Degree or Diploma in Social Work or CQSW.
• Current registration with Social Care Wales.
• At least five years’ experience in statutory children’s services.
• Extensive experience working with children, families and looked-after children, ideally at Team Manager, Practice Leader or equivalent level.
• Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding procedures and children’s social care practice.
• Proven experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings and reviewing care plans.
• Excellent report-writing, communication, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience of quality assurance, case audits, performance reporting and challenging poor practice.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and travel as required.

Additional Information

The role may involve working outside normal office hours, travelling to placements outside the county and undertaking visits with children and families in challenging circumstances. Successful applicants will be required to complete safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory employment references, verification of qualifications, right-to-work checks and confirmation of Social Care Wales registration.