Independent Reviewing Officer

Location Bradford
Salary £35.37 - £37.87 per hour
Discipline
1 Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline the main duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used below, in which case all the usual associated routines are naturally included in the job profile.
2 Employees should not refuse to undertake work, which is not specified on this form, but they should record any additional duties they are required to perform and these will be taken into account when the post is reviewed.
3 Bradford is an Equal Opportunities Employer and requires its employees to comply with all current equality policies both in terms of equal opportunity for employment and access to the Council Services.
4 The Council is committed, where possible, to making any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job role and the working environment that would enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.
Key Purpose of Post: explain the main purpose of post i.e. why does it exist, what is its
main focus. Information can be drawn from a relevant Job Description/Job Profile
1. To co-ordinate and chair looked after children’s reviews within statutory timescales placing the child at the centre of the reviewing process ensuring their thoughts and feelings are taken into account in the planning process.
2. To review and monitor the effectiveness of care plans for looked after children. To ensure that Care plans are promptly implemented, that agreed actions are being progressed and that there is no drift in permanency planning.
3. To ensure that there is appropriate preparation for LAC reviews and to follow up any concerns regarding Bradford MDC as a Corporate Parent.
4. To liaise with operational staff across agencies to ensure the effectiveness of the Review
and Care Planning process.
5. To produce a timely, outcome focused report after each review that clearly sets out how
the care plan is being implemented, the actions that are required to meet the child’s Care needs. Plans should be SMART.
6. To identify poor practice and cases where children’s needs are not being met and to seek
to resolve identified problems, through effective communication and negotiation, with relevant
practitioners and managers across agencies.
7. To contribute to the evaluation of and monitoring of standards of practice and to fulfil a quality
assurance and audit role in services for looked after children.
8. As well as reviewing those children placed within the district, to review care plans of those
children placed out of the district, those in secure accommodation and those who are subject
to Interim Supervision Orders.
9. To review respite care arrangements for children with disabilities and/or complex needs.
10. To meet separately with children to ensure their views and wishes are understood and taken into account at the review and where a child wishes to challenge their legal status, to assist the child in obtaining independent legal advice and assistance.
11. To support parental participation and ensure that children have access to representation and
advocacy services and ensure that children are aware of the complaints procedure.
12. To collate information arising from reviews relating to practice, service development and
inter-agency participation and collaboration, as requested by the Principal Care Manager.
13. To contribute to performance management monitoring arrangement and reports submitted
to senior management.
14. To remain aware of developments in relation to relevant research, legislation, guidelines
and regulations and departmental procedures.
15. To be a member of the Children’s Safeguarding and Reviewing Unit and contribute to the
development of the Unit and to the development of practise and policy in relation
to safeguarding looked after children.
16. To demonstrate and understanding of, ensure implementation of, Health and Safety and
Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.
17. To design and be involved in the facilitation of training programmes for practitioners and
managers from all agencies, involved in safeguarding, permanency planning and interventions
for looked after children.
18. To investigate complaints from children and families under the Children Act 1989 and
Children’s Complaints Procedure and to undertaken independent management investigations
In accordance with local procedures.