Independent Chairperson

Full Time / 37 Hours Per Week / Fixed Term for 5 Months

Do you have substantial post qualifying childcare experience? Would you like to join a team of independent chairs and play a key role in improving the life for families and children in Leicester.

As part of our ever-improving service ensuring children are at the heart of our work. Recently rated as GOOD by Ofsted, with impressive strengths highlighted in direct work, participation and care leaving services, we are committed to working in partnership with children, families and young adults and developing excellent social work practice.

Joining us, you’ll chair a variety of safeguarding meetings to promote safety and well-being for Leicester’s children.

We use Signs of Safety as a model of intervention to support sound social work practice and our work is underpinned by the principles of trauma informed practice and the Lundy model of Participation. As an authority we are committed to addressing racial injustice both for the families we work with and across the workforce.

We prioritise support, learning, development and wellbeing across our workforce with strengths in practice regularly recognised. We also offer agile and flexible working that supports a healthy work life balance.

We are committed to supporting your continual professional development and have a comprehensive training and development programme whatever the stage of your career.

You will join a dedicated team of experienced: independent chairs, safeguarding in education officers, LADO and fostering independent reviewing officer who all provide a rich and diverse level of safeguarding experience.

Within this post you’ll work closely with other agencies in Leicester as well as being part of a regional network.

This post will include flexible working with the ability to work remotely however, the Independent Chair would also need to be able to work in Halford House, 121 Charles Street or in local children centre’s when required. For the full time position, core working hours will be 8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am-4.30pm on a Friday.

What you’ll do

You’ll independently chair child protection conferences and quality assure the progression of child protection plans for children, Your leadership skills are essential to continue to drive quality services for children and their families.

What you’ll need

The ideal candidate will have substantial post qualifying experience in childcare. Through which experience you’ll have gained through and up-to-date understanding of childcare legislation, policy and practice guidance in the field of child protection and Looked After Children. In addition, you’ll have experience and be able to showcase the ability to demonstrate sufficient skills in chairing complex meetings.

You must show willingness to support other demands if required in the unit such as, support to the LADO and LAC reviews.

The post would suit an experienced Social Worker or manager who wants to develop and widen their safeguarding skills. The successful applicant will be provided with a good induction and receive a high level of support from within the team.

Pre employment checks will include a DBS, driving licence, and evidence of your social work qualification and Social Work England registration.

What we can offer you

As well as the satisfaction of helping to improve thousands of lives across Leicester, you can look forward to a work environment that encourages a healthy work/life balance. You’ll enjoy generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the option of flexible working. We’ll also give you the chance to develop your skills and expertise with a variety of training and development opportunities. In addition, you can choose from a number of flexible benefits, including childcare vouchers, discounts on city buses and trains and help with relocation to Leicester, where appropriate.

Join us

We’re committed to recruiting a diverse and highly-talented workforce as we continue to build a council that is fitting and representative of our great city. That’s why we’ve designed our recruitment process to put you at your ease, make you feel welcome and bring the best out of you. We’ll do all we can to make our recruitment process as fair as possible.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Lesley Booth on 0116 4542418.