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.
Additional Information
- Hours per Week: [Insert Hours]
- Payment: Bi-Weekly
- Location: [Insert Location]
