Job Description

Key Responsibilities: * Chair statutory Looked After Children (LAC) reviews, ensuring that care plans are robust, effective, and child-focused.

• Advocate for the best interests of the child, ensuring their voice is heard and acted upon in all aspects of their care.
• Monitor the progress of care plans and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and best practice guidelines.
• Challenge poor practice or delays in planning and escalate concerns where necessary.
• Provide independent oversight and scrutiny of social work practice, promoting high standards of care and welfare.
• Work closely with social workers, foster carers, legal representatives, and other professionals to ensure coordinated and effective care planning.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all review meetings, decisions, and recommendations.
• Contribute to service improvement and development by identifying trends, highlighting good practice, and recommending changes where necessary.

Essential Requirements: * Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.

• Significant post-qualifying experience in children's social work, including experience in child protection, safeguarding, or Looked After Children services.
• Strong knowledge of Children's Act 1989, 2004, IRO Handbook (2010), and other relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with children, families, and multi-agency professionals.
• Experience in chairing complex meetings and making sound, child-centred decisions.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Ability to challenge poor practice constructively and escalate concerns effectively.

Caritas Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Caritas Recruitment