EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Local Authority Designated Officer Directorate: Children s Services Grade: SMRA Service Area : Children s Safeguarding and Social Care Post Number: TBC Date last updated: June 2018 Evaluation Number: LBN 79 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY We are committed to and champion equality and diversity in all aspects of employment with the London Borough of Newham. All employees are expected to understand and promote our Equality and Diversity Policy in the course of their work. PROTECTING OUR STAFF AND SERVICES Adherence to Health and Safety requirements and proper risk management is required from all employees in so far as is relevant to their role. All employees are expected to understand and promote good Health and Safety practices and manage risks appropriately. OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB 1. To lead and provide advice, guidance and support for organisations in meeting its obligations under the relevant statutory guidance where an individual has: behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child; possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children. 2. To lead and be accountable for managing allegations against staff or volunteers who work with children within any organisation operating within the London Borough of Newham in line with duties pursuant to the Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance and Chapter 7 of the London Child Protection procedures. JOB CONTEXT

2 The post holder reports to the Principal Social Worker. KEY TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES To provide the initial point of contact for London Borough of Newham Managers, Police, Health, Education and private and voluntary sectors operating within the Local Authority when an allegation of abuse has been made against a member of staff and be responsible for co-ordinating the response to ensure the safety and protection of children. To deliver the LADO service function as outlined by Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 and the London Child Protection Procedures. To provide consultation and advice for employers operating within the authority to ensure their safeguarding practice is in line with allegations management statutory guidance. To act as a Designated Officer as required by DfE guidance, by providing consultation, support and challenge where appropriate to employers on safe working practice. To provide advice on assessing risk and suitability when an employee s own children come to the attention of the statutory agencies or the partner of a professional is convicted for an offence against a child. To chair Allegations against Staff and Volunteers evaluation, initial and review meetings in line with LADO function in relation to professional suitability issues where appropriate. To support (and chair where appropriate) meetings falling under the complex and organised abuse procedures (Chapter 8). In addition to regular reporting of activity, the post holder is responsible for informing Senior Leadership Team regarding serious allegations against staff (within the local Authority or external) and those which may generate media interest. To liaise with Media Comms team where appropriate and as requested. To work collaboratively with managers and personnel colleagues in all agencies as appropriate, following a serious child protection incident involving an allegation against a member of staff.

3 To provide challenge to safeguarding practice concerns at a management level within Children s Services, Police, Regulatory Bodies and Employers when overseeing allegation investigations. To provide safeguarding advice and consultation relating to allegations to other departments within the Local Authority including (but not limited to) Education, Early Years, Fostering & Adoption. To notify the Chair of the Safeguarding Children s Board about serious safeguarding practice concerns being adopted within the Local Authority area. To liaise with Designated Officers in other Local Authorities to support management of safeguarding risk. To contribute to the delivery of an authority-wide training strategy that provides appropriate up to date training on managing allegations. To be the point of contact for Ofsted complaints relating to allegations against staff. To develop and maintain a database that records details of consultations, allegations against staff and outcomes from investigations. To routinely complete annual and quarterly reports and respond accordingly to performance/data requests as required. The annual report to be presented to NSCB Executive Board. To engage fully in professional supervision and appraisal process and where appropriate provide line-management and supervision to support staff in line with local policy. To represent Newham on Regional and National LADO Network forums. To take responsibility for personal and professional development and to keep abreast of current child protection thinking and legislative initiatives to evidence ongoing HCPC registration. The post holder may on occasions be delegated tasks that are not specifically referenced in this job description, which in line with local policy will be evaluated and reviewed on an annual basis in conjunction with the post holder as part of the appraisal process. Politically Restricted Posts In accordance with this legislation, this post is politically restricted and as such the post holder must refrain from being a candidate for election, an election

4 agent or sub agent, an officer of a political party, or sub committee of such a party or canvass, speak to the public at large, publish written or artistic work or display posters in support of a political party or sub group of such a party. Personal Specification Job Title: Local Authority Designated Officer Service Area: Children s Social Care and Safeguarding Directorate: Children s Service (Operations) Grade: Post Number: TBC Date last updated: June 2018 Evaluation Number: TBC IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS The criteria listed in this Person Specification are all essential to the job. Where the Method of Assessment is stated to be the, your application needs to demonstrate clearly and concisely how you meet each of the criteria, even if other methods of assessment are also shown. If you do not address these criteria fully, or if we do not consider that you meet them, you will not be shortlisted. Please give specific examples wherever possible. CRITERIA METHOD OF ASSESSMENT EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY We are committed to and champion equality and diversity in all aspects of employment with the London Borough of Newham. All employees are expected to understand and promote our Equality and Diversity Policy in the course of their work. PROTECTING OUR STAFF AND SERVICES Adherence to Health and Safety requirements and proper risk management is required from all employees in so far as is relevant to their role. All employees are expected to understand and promote good Health and Safety practices and manage risks appropriately.

5 KNOWLEDGE : Extensive knowledge of the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, Working Together, London Child Protection Procedures with particular reference to chapter 7, and other legislation and guidance relating to children and their families. Advanced knowledge/ understanding of the Children s Services practice model The ability to interpret data to maximise service performance. Knowledge of the performance capabilities framework and how this informs training for social care staff Knowledge and awareness of the issues relating to communities from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and Equal Opportunities. Understanding and knowledge of the workings of local government and including its legal, financial social and political context, political processes and the current issues faced in a multi-cultural area. / / / / / QUALIFICATIONS : Recognised Social Work Qualification. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

6 Evidence of continuing professional development in line with the Skills and Knowledge Statement for Practice Leaders EXPERIENCE: Extensive experience of leading and managing high quality LADO Service. Proven experience of contributing to strategic development of child protection services driving and maintaining improvements in performance and quality Extensive experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders to inform, provide guidance and challenge across all sectors providing services to children Extensive experience of child protection and corporate parenting work with children and families Experience of working collaboratively with communities, families and children / / / / / SKILLS AND ABILITIES Able to hold accountability for the management of allegations against staff and volunteers who work children within any organisation operating in London Borough of Newham.

7 Has extensive knowledge of the wider partnership. Able to demonstrate professional and personal integrity and resilience through a problem-solving and constructive approach Able to use and apply data and management information to achieve continuous service improvement Excellent verbal and written communication skills Able to build influential and productive relationships within the service and across the partnership. Able to be analytical, view complex issues with clarity and make decisions that are objective, impartial and evidence based. Able to provide professional consultation on complex cases and training on child protection, management of allegations against staff and volunteers and related issues. Able to support, manage and motivate staff through difficult and sensitive issues Able to create a positive and energising environment which inspires and motivates staff Computer literacy skills necessary to work with information management systems and produce good quality data in a

8 variety of formats. The ability to work with word processing packages at a speed commensurate with the responsibilities of the role. OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Commitment to the provision of a quality families intervention which safeguards, effects change and promotes equality and partnership with children and parents. Commitment to upholding and respecting children s rights, views and feelings. Commitment to challenge discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Requirement to work as the senior manager on call rota for the Emergency Duty team Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to maintain service delivery. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. This post is exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Application form Satisfactory clearance at conditional offer stage. Satisfactory clearance at conditional offer stage.