Independent Reviewing Officer

We have got an exciting opportunity and looking for an Independent Reviewing Officer to join our stable and experienced service. You will be responsible for overseeing and reviewing the implementation of our childrens care plans, reviewing the quality of Childrens Social Care and partnership practice and providing solution focused feedback preventing children from experiencing drift in their plans. You will possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a strong personal organisational capacity and have a proven ability to creatively engage with children, young people and their families and develop and maintain effective positive working relationships with other professionals and agencies.

Applicants must be a Qualified Social Worker (SWE registered) with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in a statutory safeguarding children setting with significant experience in Childrens Social Care., We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/vulnerable adults. This post is subject to satisfactory reference history of at least two years, Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, medical clearance, evidence of any essential qualifications and proof of Right to Work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

Blackpool Childrens Services has been on an incredible journey, you could say its been a roller coaster! We are now developing a reputation as a good place to practice social work, our ILAC report recognised that our service to children in our care is good. We are now seeing the positive impact of the hard work undertaken, both for our workforce and for the children and families we serve. Our services are stable and we have an experienced and committed stable senior leadership team under our DCS Vicky Gent . Our shared sense of purpose is based upon the Blackpool Families Rock values, culture and practice principals and we are proud this was co-produced with Blackpools children, young people, their families and our partnership agencies. Our staff care about Blackpools children and families, and we care about them. We value that our staff are fully committed and often work above and beyond and in return we therefore offer a flexible approach to working including remote and home working and flexibility with working hours to allow you to meet your own familys needs too.

• Pay: our salary offer is strong and candidates who are recruited from the same or similar role may be eligible for a salary match within the above salary banding
• Genuine flexible working: family-friendly patterns such as flexible start/finish times and state of the art technology support, so you can spend some time working from home.
• Small teams, clear line management and practice development support
• Caseloads: theyre manageable, varied and appropriate to your role.
• Easy and regular access to the senior leadership team Principal Social Worker
• Social Work England registration fee is paid
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 after 5 yrs 31 days after 10 yrs) and the option to buy an additional 5 days on top of that, via salary sacrifice.
• Encouragement to take your TOIL back - we mean it!
• Supervision: our strengthened supervision policy supports you to build a trusting relationship with your manager.
• Leadership is good and stable - DfE apppinted Independent Commissioner.
• Career development is focused on supporting your development
• Blackpool Council Staff benefit scheme: Social Work Benefits and Diversity | Next Step Blackpool
• Employee Assistance Programme, to support you through challenging times e.g. with free counselling, financial or legal advice.
• Mental Health First Aiders that are here for you
• Principal Social Worker Best Practice Awards are our way of saying thank you to our amazing and committed staff