Sheffield City Council

JOB DESCRIPTION

Informal Enquiries to Paul Walton 0114 2736341

Social Services Directorate
DIVISION/SECTION Quality Assurance and Review Team

POST/TITLE Independent Reviewing Officer

GRADE SG 10
RESPONSIBLE TO Service Manager Quality Assurance
DUTIES The Independent Review of children’s cases – carrying out the functions specified in Section 26 (2A) Adoption and Children Act 2002 and The Review of Children’s Cases (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2004.
HOLIDAY AND
SICKNESS RELIEF None
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To independently chair the statutory review meetings of all looked after children.
To achieve the local authority’s review of the care plan, with the objective of ensuring that actions required to implement the care plan are carried out and outcomes monitored.
The Independent Reviewing Officer must take ensure that the review is conducted in accordance with the Independent Reviewing Officers Guidance, Adoption and Children Act 2002, The Review of Children’s Cases (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2004). Referring the case to an officer of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service if the Independent Reviewing Officer considers it necessary to do so.
Independent Reviewing Officers will perform an essential role in auditing files and quality assurance, providing the outcome of individual case file audits and aggregating the information into patterns and trends across teams and the service to all looked after children.
Independent Reviewing Officers will chair other appropriate meetings in relation to a child’s care plan.
Independent Reviewing Officers will also conduct the annual review of foster carers.
Independent Reviewing Officers will conduct the reviews of children with disabilities who receive less than 120 days respite per year.

Working for Sheffield

INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER SUG10

Key Roles

Statutory and Professional Processes

Leadership and Management

  • Assess the appropriateness of care plans, be able to set and monitor milestones in the achievement of positive outcomes for looked after children
  • To be able to make independent judgements which take into account the views of others but not necessarily being dominated by these
  • Gather and use information to solve problems and make informed decisions
  • Be able to analyse the information presented at individual reviews in a way which will enable individuals and the local authority to improve its service
  • To identify any concerns about how the child’s care plan is being managed and bring that to the attention of the appropriate level of senior management
  • Exercise appropriate judgement concerning any failure on the part of the local authority to perform some actions in relation to a child’s care plan, judging what are practical and valid reasons for not doing so
  • Ensure that all the necessary steps have been taken and exhausted before a referral is made to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Information Management

  • Use of information and electronic communication systems
  • Prepare reports and returns using computerised and manual systems
  • Ensure production of quality documents from standard formats using a range of IT applications
  • To analyse and present information concerning the performance of review meetings for looked after children

Conducting Reviews – knowledge and skills

  • An ability to apply appropriate legal, procedural and professional knowledge to care planning
  • An understanding of and commitment to the application of evidenced informed practice particularly in relation to looked after children
  • An ability to enable the meaningful participation of looked after children and young people in the reviewing process
  • An understanding of child protection practice and an ability to apply this in order to protect looked after children
  • An understanding of National Standards and National Minimum Standards and the core competences that should be expected of foster carers, residential staff and other providers of accommodation and care
  • An ability to select and plan the most appropriate route to secure permanence for any particular child
  • Chairing skills, bringing forth contributions from various parties, securing agreement, resolving conflicts, mediation
  • Identification of those required to undertake the actions necessary to secure implementation of a care plan

Personal and Other Skills

  • The capacity to relate to children, young people, their parents, carers and care staff and professional staff at all levels
  • The ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing, recording the outcomes of reviews accurately and succinctly
  • Having a child centred commitment to valuing diversity and respect for others language, religion and culture and incorporating these requirements into the plan for the child
  • An ability to audit files effectively
  • Manage the planning and organisation of reviews
  • Create, maintain and enhance constructive working relationships with team members, other members of staff, outside organisations, elected members and members of the public.

General Requirements

  • That there is a commitment to ongoing professional training and development, including the acquisition of new technological skills and an appropriate qualification in management.
  • Undertake any other duties and responsibilities, which do not change the character and purpose of the post.
  • All duties and responsibilities should be carried out in accordance with agreed Council Policy and procedures, in particular the Council’s Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety Policies.

INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ATTRIBUTES / CRITERIA / METHOD OF ASSESSSMENT

EXPERIENCE

/
  1. At least 3 years post qualification fieldwork experience with children and young people.
  1. Working in a children’s multi-agency/disciplinary setting
  1. Experience of chairing multi-agency meetings and/or complex planning/review meetings.
/ Application Form
Interview

QUALIFICATIONS/

TRAINING

/
  1. Professional qualification DipSW, CQSW or equivalent.
  1. Post qualification professional training desirable.
  1. GSCC Registration.
/ Application Form
Certificate
APTITUDES AND ABILITIES /
  1. Excellent level of written and oral communication skills in relation to individuals and groups.
  1. Good understanding of social work processes in Assessment Framework, CIN, Child Protection, Children Looked After and residential and fostering service provision.
  1. Ability to chair complex meetings.
  1. Organised and systematic.
  1. Ability to manage disagreement/conflict within meetings.
  1. Ability to negotiate and achieve agreements within complex multi-agency meetings and work with representatives from other agencies to develop plans for children at risk and Children Looked After.
  1. Ability to work to deadlines.
  1. Ability to develop systems and processes to support the reviewing of plans for Children Looked After.
  1. Ability to gather and analyse statistical data in respect of relevant performance indicators.
  1. Ability to contribute to quality assurance processes and systems within Children’s Services
  1. Good training skills.
  1. Able to contribute towards policy and procedure development.
/ Application Form
Interview

KNOWLEDGE

/
  1. Thorough knowledge of all relevant legislation.
  1. Management of risk.
  1. Assessment Framework in relation to Children’s Services.
  1. Best practice in relation to Children’s Services.
/ Application Form
Interview
ATTITUDE/
MOTIVATION /
  1. Commitment to high quality services provision.
  1. Commitment to equal opportunities and racial equality.
  1. Commitment to consultation/inclusion and participation with service users.
  1. Commitment to own learning and development.
/ Interview

OTHER FACTORS

/
  1. Able to work unsociable hours as necessary to meet service demands.
  1. Ability and flexibility to work some evenings as applicable to the foster carer review function.
  1. ICT skills and commitment to there further development.
/ Application Form

1

C:\Documents and Settings\AM91343\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK2E9\IRO New Job Description_JD ONLY_Final Version_Minus NVQ Assessor Role.doc