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- Tasks: Lead child protection conferences and support families in making positive changes.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council, a leader in children's social care.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with management experience and a passion for child welfare.
- Other info: Outstanding Ofsted rating and opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Various locations across Leicestershire
Worker Category: Field Based Worker
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 26/01/2026
Interview Date(s): 05/02/2026
Exciting Opportunity in the Safeguarding & Performance Service for a Child Protection Conference Chair. It's an exciting time to be a part of Children and Family Services at Leicestershire County Council, our staff are at the heart of delivering excellent services to children and families across Leicestershire. Come and join us and make a difference in the lives of children and families in Leicestershire.
Our recent Ofsted inspection praised Leicestershire's work to build "strong and long-lasting relationships" with children and families which lead to many families achieving "positive changes" in their lives. They highlighted an "ambitious and child-focused senior leadership that has successfully created a culture where the experiences and progress of children are at the heart of social work practice".
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Safeguarding and Performance service as an Independent Reviewing Officer as a Child Protection Conference Chair. You will be joining a well-established and stable service without our Outstanding Children's Social Care. Your role will be focused on chairing child protection conferences, supporting families and professionals through this process, and reviewing and giving oversight, quality assurance and challenge to teams on the robustness and progress of child protection planning for children.
Nationally all Local Authorities are taking part in the Families First Program which is the national review of children's social care, focusing on the development of multi-agency child protection teams. This role is part of the ongoing considerations for that program over the next year and all staff impacted will be fully included and consulted in the ongoing plans.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must respond to and evidence the following 7 essential criteria within your personal statement. This should be no more than 1,000 words.
- You will need to be a qualified social worker and registered with Social Work England, with substantial experience of working with statutory children's social care and child protection background.
- You will need to have management experience, working at Grade 12 or above.
- You will be passionate about delivering the highest standard of care to our children and recognise the significant role that the Child Protection Conference Chairs play in supporting operational colleagues in driving forward plans and preventing drift and delay.
- You will have strong skills in time management, working effectively and flexibly to meet deadlines, and be a strong communicator.
- You will be able to chair complex meetings and present information both verbally and in reports to different groups including children, political leaders, senior managers and the wider workforce.
- You will be performance driven with a keen eye for data and a proactive approach to quality assurance to drive and improve practice.
- You will be able to support and challenge your colleagues to benefit our children, with their voice central to your work.
- You must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
In addition, we expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the interview process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.
How to Apply
Leicestershire County Council is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our communities.
Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
To apply for this job, please click on the apply button. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
For further information on what it's like to work for us and the benefits we offer, please refer to the following: Locations County Hall, Leicester, LE3 8RB, GB.
Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection Conference Chair in London employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection Conference Chair in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care field, especially those who might know about opportunities at Leicestershire County Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in child protection and safeguarding. Show us that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the challenges and innovations in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you'll need to articulate complex ideas clearly. Consider mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values there.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection Conference Chair in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Personal Statement: Make sure to customise your personal statement to highlight how you meet the essential criteria. Use specific examples from your experience that showcase your skills and passion for child protection.
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your personal statement within the 1,000-word limit and ensure it's easy to read. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so that your key points stand out.
Showcase Your Management Experience: Since management experience is crucial for this role, be sure to emphasise any relevant leadership roles you've held. Share how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get your application in through our website as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in child protection policies and the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices, as this will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in managing complex meetings and supporting families. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Child Protection Conference Chair, strong communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts and ideas succinctly. Be ready to explain how you would present information to various stakeholders, including children and senior managers.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Leicestershire County Council values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work. Share examples of how you’ve supported diverse communities or challenged inequalities in your previous roles.
