Social Services Professional Adviser (Sessional) per hour

Transcription

1 Social Services Professional Adviser (Sessional) per hour We are seeking to appoint professional advisers, on a sessional basis, to provide the Ombudsman with social work advice. Successful candidates will be senior social work practitioners experienced in their field and who can comment authoritatively on social work practice, including safeguarding, the assessment of care needs and the provision of care. Previous experience in conducting reviews and providing written reports suitable for the lay reader is desirable. It is important that candidates have the ability to assess extensive and complex information and, where merited, provide criticism and suggestions on how a service may improve. Applicants must be fully registered Social Work practitioners and must have recent practice experience within the public sector in Wales. The Ombudsman is looking for applications from practitioners in the following areas: Adult Services Further details on how to apply are contained within the attached Notes for Candidates document, and appointment will depend upon relevant skills and experience. The Ombudsman is committed to equal opportunities.

2 Appointment of Social Services Professional Adviser (Sessional) Notes for Candidates About this pack These notes are accompanied by an equality monitoring form, an organisational chart and a job description with person specification. If you would like to express an interest in the role of Social Services Professional adviser to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales please complete the application form below attaching either your CV or the following information: Name/address/contact details An outline of your education/qualifications, and membership of any professional bodies Your employment history, including current post and relevant responsibilities The name of a referee (professional capacity) Whether you have any Welsh language skills along with a statement outlining your suitability for the role of Social Services Professional adviser to the Ombudsman (500 word maximum). NB: The Equality Monitoring section will not form part of the selection process. Background Information The function of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints from members of the public about unfair treatment, or where they have received a poor service through some failure on the part of a public body in Wales. Professional advisers support the delivery of PSOW s complaints investigations process by providing expert professional advice on issues within their field of expertise. The Ombudsman s investigations are inquisitorial, and evaluate the reasonableness of actions/inaction. The test is therefore different to that which applies in litigation. Investigations are usually concluded with a written report, prepared by the Ombudsman s investigator, which will incorporate the adviser s advice. Social Services Professional Adviser Social Services advice is needed for substantive complaint investigations. Provision of advice may typically take in the region of 8 hours, although this will depend heavily on the complexity and type of case. Occasionally an

3 adviser might also be asked to attend meetings, case conferences and/or interviews with the complainant or those complained against. We may also, on occasion, ask for a brief initial view during the assessment (preinvestigation) stage of a complaint in order to assist us in deciding whether additional investigation is merited. The adviser should familiarise themselves with any guidance issued from the Ombudsman on professional advice-giving and produce advice in line with this. Reports should be produced in accordance with any standard advice templates supplied. Advisers should be aware that the names and qualifications of advisers and all advice supplied to the Ombudsman are normally released to both complainant and body/named persons under investigation. Social Services advice provided will include some or all of the following: A brief background relevant to the complaint Evidence-based answers in response to specific questions posed Identification of other significant and relevant matters particularly if these may give rise to safeguarding issues Reference to appropriate and current practice standards, national policy, frameworks and guidance relevant when providing advice and conclusions A peer-based case review in order to provide answers and opinion on specific aspects of the complaint. Duties of the Social Services Professional Adviser The duties of a Professional Adviser are set out in the job description which is attached to this note. Conditions of Service This is a sessional role with remuneration of per hour. Advisers are engaged on a self-employed basis. Health Before confirming the appointment, the Ombudsman may require a satisfactory medical report from the successful applicant. Knowledge of Welsh

4 The Ombudsman aims to provide a fully bilingual service and therefore knowledge of Welsh is desirable. Interviews Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. How to apply Expressions of interest should be marked Appointment of Social Services Professional Adviser via post or electronic mail to: Postal Address: Appointment of Social Services Professional Adviser Corporate Services PSOW 1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae Pencoed CF35 5LJ Recruitment@Ombudsman-wales.org.uk Applications will not be acknowledged, but applicants may telephone , if they wish to confirm that their application has been received.

5 PUBLIC SERVICES OMBUDSMAN FOR WALES JOB DESCRIPTION Post: Rate: Tenure: Overall Purpose: Social Services Professional Adviser (Sessional) per hour Sessional basis Supporting the Ombudsman in considering complaints by providing expert professional advice to investigators on social work issues. Principal Accountabilities: 1. Provide initial advice to investigators on complaints at assessment stage, both as a generalist and specialist, recommending actions which may be necessary to properly assess the complaint. 2. Provide expert review of the professional actions of those social work staff involved in the complaint. 3. Provide clear and comprehensive written reports on social work issues. 4. To attend, if required, interviews to support investigations on social work matters. 5. To advise on draft reports completed by investigators to ensure that the professional advice has been considered properly. 6. To assist, if necessary, with the provision of internal staff workshops on social work matters.

6 Person Specification: Essential: 1. Experienced registered professional social work practitioner with appropriate post graduate qualifications 2. Current or recent experience in social work practice 3. Current registration with a relevant regulatory/professional body 4. Knowledge of current legislation, standards and guidance applicable to social work practice in Wales 5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex terminology in a way understandable and accessible to a lay audience. Desirable: 1. Experience of handling complaints and serious untoward incidents 2. The ability to use a word processor and other computer packages 3. The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh. Special Conditions: 1. The Ombudsman operates a non-smoking policy

7 APPLICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVISER (Social Services) Surname: Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other):. First Name:. Address:.... Postcode:.. Telephone Number: Home:... Mobile: Work: Address:.. Areas of specialism:... Do you require any special arrangements if requested to attend for interview? No Yes (please detail below e.g. wheelchair access required, sight or hearing impairment)

8 Data Protection Act 1998 Retention of Application Forms Under the Data Protection Act 1998 the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has a duty not to retain personal information for longer than is necessary. All unsuccessful application forms and any accompanying CVs will be destroyed within 12 months of the closing date for applications. The decision notice and master matrix will also be destroyed after 12 months. The successful applicant s details will be transferred to their personnel file. DATA PROTECTION AUTHORISATION For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, I consent to the information contained within this application and any other documents in support of the application and any other information received by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales relating to the subject matter of this form, being processed in administering the recruitment process. I declare that all the information within this application is true and correct. I acknowledge that any false or misleading statements made on this form may, if they subsequently come to light, be taken to justify my dismissal from employment with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales or could result in the withdrawal of any job offer made. Signature: (If sending documents electronically, please grant authorisation by typing name) Date: Details provided on this page DO NOT form part of the assessment process This page will be removed prior to the application being considered.

9 Equal Opportunities Monitoring The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales strives to ensure that people using his service, or who are employed by him are treated equally and that he does not inadvertently discriminate against members of any particular group in society. In order to help us monitor this, we would be grateful if you could complete and return this form with your application. If you are not comfortable answering any particular question, please tick the box marked. This is not compulsory and the return or otherwise of this form does not form part of the assessment process. Post applied for: Social Services Professional Adviser What was your age last birthday? Under or over What is your gender? Male Female How would you describe your nationality? Welsh English Scottish Northern Irish British Other, please describe: Details provided on this page DO NOT form part of the assessment process This page will be removed prior to the application being considered

10 Equal Opportunities Monitoring (continued) What is your ethnic group? White Welsh, English, Scottish, Northern Irish, British Irish Gypsy or Irish Traveller Any other White background Asian or Asian British Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Chinese Any other Asian Background Black, African, Caribbean or Black British African Caribbean Any other Black, African or Caribbean background Mixed or multiple ethnic groups White and Black Caribbean White and Black African White and Asian Any other Mixed or Multiple ethnic background Other ethnic group Arab Any other ethnic group What is your household s main language? English Welsh Other, Please describe: Do you consider yourself to be disabled? Yes No Details provided on this page DO NOT form part of the assessment process This page will be removed prior to the application being considered

11 Equal Opportunities Monitoring (continued) Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months? Yes, limited a lot Yes, limited a little No What is your religion? No religion Christian (all denominations) Buddhist Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Any other religion, please describe: Are you married or in a same sex civil partnership? Yes No Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself? Heterosexual or Straight Gay or Lesbian Bisexual Other Details provided on this page DO NOT form part of the assessment process This page will be removed prior to the application being considered