Independent Reviewing Officer

People and Place

Independent Reviewing Officer: Children Looked After and Child Protection

Ref: G9/OL-

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £42,503 - £46,549 (full time), £21,252 - £23,275 (part time) per annum (Grade 9)

Essential Car user allowance provided.

Hours: 1x 36.66 and 1x 18.33 per week

Based: Safeguarding and Review Unit, Rock Street Centre, Oldham, OL1 3UJ

Closing Date: Sunday 9th April 2023

Interview: TBC

Informal Enquiries: Contact Kimberley Nield, Head of Independent Review

Email: Kimberley.Nield@oldham.gov.uk

Job Description & Person Specification.docx

Here’s why Oldham is the best place to be an Independent Reviewing Officer right now

In Oldham we have the highest aspirations to achieve the best outcomes for our children and families and to sustain them in their communities. We put their needs at the heart of everything we do.

We’re now investing £14.7million into Children’s Social Care in Oldham as part of our commitment to giving social workers the resources they need to work effectively with children and families, including reduced caseloads.

This means creating additional Independent Reviewing Officer in our safeguarding service and we’re looking for experienced, motivated, and ambitious workers who share our aspirations. There has never been a better time to join Oldham.

What do our Independent Review team like most about working for us?

• Flexible and agile working arrangements
• Competitive pay with a £2,000 retention payment
• A generous relocation packages
• A supportive and enabling workplace with quality supervision from your manager
• Access to a comprehensive development programme as part of your ongoing Continuing Professional Development.
• A bespoke workplace designed for social workers with free parking and Essential Car User Allowance
• An Employment Assistance Scheme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Reimbursement of professional registration fees (SWE)
• Clear progression pathways and support to develop your social work career in Oldham
• Fit for Oldham Scheme which offers free health and fitness opportunities

What’s different about being an Independent Reviewing Offer in Oldham?

We work with one of the most diverse communities of any local authority in the country and this is reflected within our workforce which we believe is one of our greatest strengths. The life experiences and challenges facing our children and families are incredibly varied and require an inclusive response which recognises the family’s unique strengths and works with them to achieve solutions.

We will develop and reward you for your expertise - that’s why we make sure you have access to a range of support, continual professional development, and training opportunities to continually improve your practice. We also offer a clear career development route based on your skills and experience through our progression pathway.

Here’s the role:

In the role you will build a strong, supportive relationship with the Children Looked After and Care Leavers on your caseload and chair their statutory reviews, including children placed for adoption, ensuring the swift preparation of minutes. You will develop respectful and constructive working relationships with the child’s social worker or personal adviser and all partners and be able to challenge drift and delay where this occurs. We expect the postholder to promote the voice of the child and support active participation.

Child Protection Reviewing Officers chair Initial Child Protection Conference and Reviews taking the lead role in conference management and establishing the plan for any actions needed by all relevant agencies. In this role you will have oversight of the child protection planning through review to ensure that progress is made with the plan and safeguarding concerns are responded to with the right level of intervention at the right time.

In Oldham we are committed to systemic practice, with a focus on building relationships with children and families and reflective learning, both within families and as a Service. We will support you with training in this model.

What we need from you

To apply for any of these positions we need you to be a qualified, experienced social worker and registered with Social Work England.

About Us:

with Oldham

Leading Oldham

Oldham - A great place to live

Staff Benefits

Oldham Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS and Requires Registration to the DBS Update Service. If successful, you will be required to register to the DBS Update Service to enable the Council to undertake rechecks throughout your employment. The cost to register is £13 and can be claimed back upon commencement to the role but will not be refunded if you do not accept the offer of employment.

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