Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us
Independent Chair
The conference and reviewing service at Achieving for Children have an exciting opportunity to support the service for a 12 month fixed contract. If you are seeking to develop your career in Social Work and children and young people are at the centre of everything you do, we want to hear from you!
About the role
We are looking for flexible, creative individuals who are committed to improving the protection of children; ensuring best outcomes for children in care and where needed to support our local authority designated officer (lado) service.
You will have proven skills in chairing complex multi-agency meetings and a knowledge of current children’s legislation and practice. You will participate in a range of quality assurance and practice improvement activities, driving up standards of social work and the impact of other agencies involved in child protection work; children looked after and the area of LADO.
You will remain objective whilst developing effective working relationships within Children’s Services and other professionals involved in delivering services to vulnerable children and their families.
For further information about this role, please contact Sara Gardner on 07754052067 or for an informal discussion.
About you
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
1. Experience of management within children’s social care.
2. Experience of chairing complex multi agency and multi-professional meetings.
3. Experience of constructively challenging casework and resolving issues using effective dispute resolution processes.
4. Experience of using quality assurance frameworks and systems to monitor and review the effectiveness of services.
5. Knowledge of relevant theory that informs practice delivery and statutory legislation (for example Children’s Act) and national policy drivers that will affect children’s services.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
6. 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month(Or for term term workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract.)
7. Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
8. Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
9. Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
10. A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
11. A range of staff benefits and discounts
12. An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children. For our social work offer .
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.