At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead reviews for looked after children, ensuring their needs are met and voices heard.
- Company: Join West Dunbartonshire Council, a top flexible employer committed to children's rights.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's social work and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are seeking to recruit a skilled, confident and child centred professional to join us as an Independent Reviewing Co-ordinator (IRC). This is a pivotal role within West Dunbartonshire’s Looked After Children’s system through the provision of independent oversight, challenge, and quality assurance in order to ensure that every child’s plan is aligned to meeting their identified needs and is progressing without drift or delay.
As an Independent Reviewing Co-ordinator it is expected that you will:
- Chair Looked After Reviews with independence, clarity and authority
- Ensure the child’s voice, rights and experiences are central to all decision making
- Have a sound understanding of The Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009
- Provide robust oversight of care planning, permanence pathways and multi agency contributions
- Identify and challenge drift, delay or barriers to progress
- Promote the development of quality assessments, clear SMART plans for each child/young person and the timely progression of actions to achieve identified outcomes
- Track the progress of actions across reviews and ensure accountability across the Team around the Child including parent(s)/carer(s) and all agencies
- Contribute to service development and improvement, including regular quality assurance and audit activity
- Support the development of consistency in practice standards across the Looked After system
This role is critical in delivering our commitment to The Promise and ensuring that we are Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC).
We are looking for an individual who has:
- Significant experience in children’s social work and/or permanence planning
- Strong assessment and analytical skills and the confidence to provide constructive challenge
- Excellent chairing, communication and report writing abilities
- A commitment to children’s rights, participation and relational practice
- The ability to work independently while contributing to the development of a supportive and reflective team
- A calm, authoritative presence in complex multi agency environments
This post is considered as Regulated Work with Children and Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2020 and as such membership with the PVG scheme is essential.
WDC was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:
- Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits
- A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year
- Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support
Now that you have read the role and what we have to offer, we would love to hear from you. Please use the application to tell us your experience, and why you are the candidate for this role.
Independent Reviewing Coordinator (Looked After Children) (Permanent) - WDN06651 in Dumbarton employer: West Dunbartonshire Council
West Dunbartonshire Council is an excellent employer for those passionate about education, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration among staff. Located in Clydebank, the council is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers teachers to inspire students and drive school improvement, ensuring meaningful contributions to the community and the future of education.
Contact Details:
West Dunbartonshire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Coordinator (Looked After Children) (Permanent) - WDN06651 in Dumbarton
✨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 West Dunbartonshire Council.
✨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 West Dunbartonshire Council!
✨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 West Dunbartonshire Council, 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 West Dunbartonshire Council 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 Independent Reviewing Coordinator (Looked After Children) (Permanent) - WDN06651 in Dumbarton
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 West Dunbartonshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to West Dunbartonshire Council! 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 West Dunbartonshire Council
✨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.
