Child Protection Co-ordinator (PO6)

Job Description Post title:                           Child Protection Coordinator Service area:                     People�s Directorate, Safeguarding and Family Support Grade:                               P06 Reports to:                        Service Manager Child Protection Your team:                        Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Number of supervisees:      0 Our ambition We�re determined to make Islington more equal. To create a place where everyone, whatever their background, has the opportunity to reach their potential and enjoy a good quality of life. We also have an ambitious goal � to be the best council in the country � with every employee clear about the part they play and inspired, focused and supported to give their very best. We want to build an organisation where employees feel valued, inspired and empowered to help us achieve our goals and provide the best services possible to our residents. Our values and behaviours �Be Islington� is about setting a clear challenge about what it means to be an Islington employee and sets the standard for every new recruit. We ask our employees to �Be Islington� � playing their part in working together for a more equal borough and to always be collaborative, be ambitious, be resourceful, and be empowering (�CARE�). Our commitment to challenging inequality We are committed to tackling inequality, racism and injustice and creating a more equal borough for all. In order to do this, we need to set the example by being a fair employer and creating a workplace environment which is free from discrimination, racism and inequality. Our approach needs to be proactive, consistently learning to create a more equal workplace and foster a culture which empowers all staff to challenge inequality. Equality is at the heart of what we do. We want to celebrate and embrace our differences by: Ensuring our workforce is representative of the people we work on behalf of, our residents Creating equitable working environments and diverse teams Understanding our residents in order to design and deliver services that help tackle inequality and improve life chances for our residents Getting to know people and their differences Interpreting issues and concerns from a cultural perspective and address situations or problems from the points-of-view of multiple cultures

Key responsibilities

Chairing child protection conferences and other meetings as required using Strengthening Families and Motivational Practice models.

Ensuring safe decisions are made when planning for children at risk of significant harm.

Devising and reviewing child protection plans that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

Undertaking case reviews such as independent management reviews.

Contributing to improved standards and outcomes for children and their families by providing reflective advice and consultation.

Contributing to continuous service improvement by strengths-based quality assuring service provision in including audits.

Contributing to continuous service improvement through delivery of training, influencing changes to policy and practice and ensuring their implementation.

Build and develop influential and respectful partnerships between practitioners and partner agencies, paying attention to different structures, pressures, priorities and levels for influencing and shaping the thinking of others.

Ensure a Motivational Practice model approach to partnership working, understanding that the quality of relationships and reputation management with peers, managers and leaders throughout multi-agency partnerships is an essential component of successful support to families and protection of children and young people.

Forge professional relationships with partner agencies based on empathy and authority so collaboration can be used to best effect.

Assisting the LADO in managing allegations against staff and volunteers.

Ensure service is provided in accordance with the Council's commitment to high quality service provision to be committed to the Council�s core values of public service, quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way they carry out their duties.

Carry out responsibilities/duties within the framework of the Challenging Inequality Strategy and the Fairer Together Framework. Carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council�s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.

As part of the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service you will champion the drive to address disproportionality and inequality that exists and demonstrate the values of social justice.

Ensure duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with GDPR and other legislation.

Adhere to the standards of conduct, performance, and ethics of Social Work England.

Compliance Ensure legal, regulatory and policy compliance under GDPR, Health and Safety and in area of your specialism identifying opportunities and risks and escalating where appropriate. Budget responsibilities None Work style As a front facing service, work will be divided between both being in the office and working from home. We value the ability to provide a flexible approach to both the service and the families we work with, whilst also supporting a healthy work life balance.

Person specification You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet the essential criteria. Please ensure you address each of the criteria as this will be assessed to determine your suitability for the post. Assessment Guide A = Application I = Interview T = Test

Essential Criteria Qualifications Essential criteria Criteria description  Assessed by 1 SWE recognised social work qualification and considerable post - qualifying experience in a statutory social work setting that includes management of high-risk cases and care planning. A 2 Ability to effectively carry out the key statutory duties to support families and protect children. A/I 3 Ability to make threshold decisions, recognise risk and ensure that this is addressed in case management. A/I Experience Essential criteria Criteria description  Assessed by 4 Substantial post qualification experience of statutory childcare work, including at a management level. A 5 Demonstrated leadership ability that engages those that use the service and professionals at all levels of service provision, in a shared purposeful vision, continuously evaluating and adjusting your approach in response to need. A/I 6 Experience of chairing complex meetings with participation from a variety of professional disciplines, children, and families. A/I

Skills Essential criteria Criteria description  Assessed by 7 Displays an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people and vulnerable adults. A/I/T 8 Thorough knowledge of legislation, statutory regulations and government guidance and standards relevant to children. A/I 9 Ability to chair child protection conferences and other meetings as required, in line with procedures � ensuring that the child�s interests are the focus of attention. A/I/T 10 Demonstrate the personal authority to chair effectively, multi-agency meetings concerning children and deal with any conflict that arises. A/I/T 11 Ability to ensure children/family members/carers/ other professionals are appropriately involved in all child safeguarding processes. A/I/T 12 Ability to liaise with staff managing child care work, and challenge where appropriate. A/I/T 13 Ability to work with complex information and produce analytical reports verbally and in writing. A/I 14 The ability to communicate effectively, face to face and in writing, on child safeguarding matters with a range of professionals, parents, and young people. A/I 15 Experience of a range of quality assurance methods including audit. A/I 16 The ability to deliver training and produce explanatory information, which is accessible to all. A/I 17 The skills and abilities necessary to ensure that all work is produced within the framework of Islington Council�s Diversity for All policy. A/I/T 18 Demonstrated commitment to providing a service which respects children and young people�s rights. A/I/T 19 Ensure the help provided is child-centred and the views of children are meaningfully considered. A/I/T

Special requirements of the post (Insert any special requirements of the post. Delete if they do not apply.) Essential criteria Criteria description Assessed by 20 This role requires registration and good standing with Social Work England (SWE) and satisfactory enhanced clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) A Our accreditations Our accreditations include: the Healthy Workplace award, Timewise, London Living Wage Employer, Disability Confident Committed, The Mayor�s Good Work Standard, Stonewall Diversity Champion, and Time to Change.