Child Protection Co-Ordinator

The specialist Child Protection Co-ordinator (CPC) is a statutory role, whose function is to develop, manage and promote structures and processes (in accordance with SET Procedures and Working Together 2010) in relation to all children who have been made subject of a Child Protection Plan who are at risk of Suffering Significant Harm. This role enables the Local Authority to comply with the responsibilities and functions laid out in relevant legislation and guidance, and to improve the safety of children and young people in Essex by working collaboratively with partner agency colleagues. Accountabilities

• Accountable for ensuring that all children in Essex are safeguarded and their wellbeing is effectively promoted in accordance with legislation and national and local policy.
• To create, implement, monitor, and maintain policy and practice in compliance with legislation, guidance and internal policy and procedures and lead on specialist aspects of the safeguarding processes on behalf of the LA and where required the ESCB.
• To be accountable for safe outcomes for children and to ensure adherence to statutory timescales by chairing and co-ordinating all Child protection Conferences and developing Child Protection plans.
• Accountable for the delivery of a professional consultation service, providing advice and information to staff within Essex County Council and partner agencies regarding Child Protection activity, in order to maximise the safety and welfare of children at risk of harm.
• To ensure that the child's voice is heard, and that children and family are appropriately participant in the conference process relating to ICPC and RCPC, and that the child's interest remains paramount.
• To model and promote effective partnership working with key agencies, ensuring collaboration, information sharing and integrated planning for the benefit of the child.
• To contribute specialist knowledge in respect of legislation and technical expertise to the Quality Assurance Service strategy and to the development of resources, policy and practice developments.
• To lead (when required) and contribute to training and awareness-raising for staff within SCF and other agencies on Child Protection risk assessment, and lead on an area of expertise in relation to Neglect, Sexual abuse, physical and emotional harm, and wider safeguarding matters as appropriate.
• To undertake and monitor Child protection plans between conferences and ensure progression of plans where there is drift ensure the child's plan is escalated.
• To ensure that performance conforms to the required professional and performance standards, including full recording of CP plans - Record of discussion are uploaded to protocol.
• To integrate learning from serious case reviews into Child protection plans.
  
  Social Work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, Degree) and registered with GSCC.
• Significant childcare experience in a statutory setting - a minimum of a senior practitioner level.
• Post qualifying award in subject related to child/family work.
• Comprehensive specialist knowledge of the safeguarding agenda and Allegations Management.
Desirable:
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Evidence of ability to manage workload and ensure effective performance.
• Proven ability to analyse complex information; provide specialist advice and analyse and assess levels of risk.
• Evidence of skills in effectively chairing complex inter-agency meetings.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service