At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee and review Child in Need plans, ensuring children's voices are heard.
- Company: Civic Recruitment Limited, dedicated to safeguarding children and families.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a focus on professional development and impactful work.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to high standards of practice and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's social care and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Full time | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom
Posted On 18/06/2026
Job Information
- Work Experience: 2 years
- Social / NGO / Health & Care
- City: Lambeth
- Province: Lambeth
- Postal Code: SE1
Job Description
3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Job Purpose
To provide independent oversight and review of Child in Need (CIN) plans for children and families receiving services under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. The postholder will ensure that plans are child-centred, outcome-focused, and effectively safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The role involves chairing Child in Need review meetings, monitoring progress against agreed plans, challenging drift and delay, and promoting high standards of safeguarding practice across children's services.
Key Responsibilities
- Chair Child in Need review meetings in accordance with statutory requirements, local procedures, and best practice standards.
- Ensure the voice, wishes, feelings, and lived experiences of children are central to all review processes and decision-making.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of Child in Need plans, ensuring intended outcomes are achieved and risks are appropriately managed.
- Provide independent scrutiny and oversight of Child in Need plans, assessments, and interventions.
- Identify and challenge drift, delay, or inadequate planning and escalate concerns where safeguarding risks are not being effectively addressed.
- Monitor safeguarding concerns and ensure appropriate actions are taken to protect children from harm.
- Identify cases requiring escalation to Child Protection procedures, legal planning, or other statutory interventions.
- Ensure thresholds for intervention are consistently applied across services.
- Maintain oversight of children vulnerable to neglect, abuse, exploitation, domestic abuse, parental substance misuse, and other safeguarding risks.
- Work collaboratively with social workers, managers, education, health, police, and other partner agencies to promote effective multi-agency planning.
- Provide constructive professional challenge to ensure accountability and high-quality practice.
- Produce clear, accurate, and timely review records, recommendations, reports, and management information.
- Maintain accurate electronic records in line with data protection and organisational requirements.
- Monitor compliance with review timescales, statutory expectations, and service standards.
- Contribute to quality assurance activities, audits, service reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify themes, trends, and learning from Child in Need reviews and support the development of best practice across safeguarding services.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker (Degree, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent).
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post-qualification experience within children's social care services.
- Extensive experience of safeguarding practice and Child in Need casework.
- Thorough knowledge of the Children Act 1989, safeguarding legislation, and statutory guidance including Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Strong understanding of Child in Need processes, risk assessment, child development, and safeguarding frameworks.
- Experience chairing professional meetings and facilitating multi-agency discussions.
- Experience of quality assurance, auditing, reviewing practice, or providing independent oversight.
- Ability to analyse complex information and make sound professional judgements.
- Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to provide constructive challenge and professional scrutiny where required.
- Excellent report writing, recording, and organisational skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Skilled in engaging children and ensuring their voices influence planning and decision-making.
- Experience within a reviewing, quality assurance, or independent oversight role is desirable.
Children In Need Reviewing Officer employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the welfare of children and families in Lambeth. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from opportunities for growth and training in safeguarding practices, while working collaboratively with dedicated professionals across various agencies. The role of Children In Need Reviewing Officer not only provides meaningful engagement with vulnerable children but also ensures that their voices are central to decision-making processes, making it a rewarding position within a community-focused organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children In Need Reviewing Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Civic Recruitment Limited.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Civic Recruitment Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Civic Recruitment Limited, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Civic Recruitment Limited or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Children In Need Reviewing Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Civic Recruitment Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Civic Recruitment Limited! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Civic Recruitment Limited
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
