Child Protection and Reviewing Officer Full Time

To assess allegations of child abuse and neglect and determine whether, and how, to instigate child protection procedures between social work staff and other agencies, and to line manage the investigation.

To determine, in consultation with senior social workers/team leaders, the outcome and agreed actions from IRD.

To undertake the role of duty CPRO on a rotational basis and conduct IRD’s within timescales and follow through on agreed actions with regard to progression through child protection procedures

To chair and provide professional advice to child protection case conferences and statutory reviews of looked after children, thereby ensuring an effective child protection/outcome based plan is in place for all children identified as being at risk of significant harm or living away from home.

To ensure the provision of high quality risk assessment, decision making and planning at child protection case conferences and Looked After Children’s Reviews.

To chair meetings for identified vulnerable young people and devise an interim risk management plan from the conference.

To assist in gathering the views of the families and stakeholders involved in the process and ensuring these views are reflected in practice.

To monitor child protection work and provide appropriate information to inform policy making and practice within the department and between agencies at Child Protection Delivery Groups.

To be conversant with current national legislation, directives and guidance relating to child protection and take an active role in ensuring that policy and process is adhered to.

To provide advice and specialist expertise on child care and child protection assessments, to managers, and social workers on complex cases. This may necessitate in particularly complex cases, the postholder undertaking direct work of a specialist nature.

Appropriate social work qualification at degree level or diploma level (DipSW).

Registration with SSSC.

A current driving licence and use of a vehicle is an essential requirement of this post.*

*If you have a disability which precludes you from holding a drivers licence, Scottish Borders Council will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability. Should it be possible to make such an adjustment in order that you can undertake the travel responsibilities of the post, this will be taken into account in consideration for this role.

Informal enquiries may be made to Caitlin Nisbet on 01896 664 159 or by email at [email protected].