ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Officer (Independent Reviewing Officer) – Key Competencies and Technical Requirements

Behavioural Competencies

• Change – Improving services and making the most of resources to deliver improved outcome.
• Delivery – Delivery of high quality services is an essential part of what we do to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Planning & Organising - Ability to organise own time effectively, creating own work schedules, prioritising, preparing in advance and setting realistic timescales for own self and others. Has the ability to visualise a sequence of actions needed to achieve a specific goal and how to estimate the resources required.
• Leadership and Management – The behaviours and actions of the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Officer determine how we work and what we achieve.
• Pride in Manchester – Demonstrating pride in our city.

Generic Skills

• Interpersonal Skills – Excellent communication both oral and written is crucial for success across all aspects of the role.
• Analytical Skills – Ability to absorb, understand and quickly assimilate complex information and concepts and compare information from a number of different sources.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making – Strong decision making skills with the ability to resolve complex issues in a pressurised environment.
• People/Performance Management – Establishing clear targets and monitors performance to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.
• ICT Skills – Ability to set up and maintain effective systems to manage information.
• Policy Skills – Ability to develop policies that are clear, concise and all encompassing.

Technical requirements (Role Specific)

• A Social Work qualification is required and registration with the General Social Care Council
• Experience of providing mentoring and support to colleagues or students.
• To be able to provide an expert service a thorough knowledge and understanding of the legal framework relating to Looked After Children and Care Leavers including National Minimum Standards.
• Seek to gain specialist knowledge and understanding of specific areas of Child in Need, Child Protection and LAC. Be aware of political or legislative changes in relation to and the impact that this may have on operation services.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Working Together to Safeguard Children, Care Planning Regulations and relevant guidance and regulations relating to Child Protection.
• Ability and confidence to work constructively with Senior Managers and partners, offering a critical perspective and appropriate challenge.

ABOUT US

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent / Full time
Additional Payments: Essential car user allowance
Closing Date: 23 June 2025
Closing time: 11.59pm

This role is subject to -

• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years’ history.
• Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)
• Essential Car Documentation- This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the monitoring and quality assurance of the fostering service.
Manchester’s Fostering Service is committed to providing safe, high quality care which supports our children and young people who are unable to live with their own families. We want the best possible care and support for our children so they are able to live with carers who will stick with them through to adulthood and help them live within their own communities both now and in the future.
We want to enhance the support for our foster carers and improve stability for the children and young people they care for and with this in mind we are looking at ways to develop the service and our offer to foster carers in Manchester.
As part of our monitoring and quality assurance work we are looking to appoint a Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer.
The role includes providing independent oversight by chairing/reviewing foster carers annual reviews and reviews with concerns where appropriate at the direction of the fostering service.

Do you meet the following?

• Post qualification experience as a social worker in a related field and an understanding of fostering and care planning and placement regulations and statutory guidance and national minimum standards.
• Experience of fostering, residential or family placement services or, experience of care planning and achieving permanence for cared for children and experience of chairing meetings, often under complex circumstances.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to make sound, robust recommendations based on the information available, ensuring effective relationships with other professionals at all times.
• Possess excellent innovation skills to join us on our journey
• Have demonstrated a commitment to anti-oppressive practice and what this means for our children
• Have the ability to work within and contribute to a team, looking at a whole service approach
• Have the ability to write clear, concise robust reports, which reflect the lived experience of our carers and children
• Have a flexible approach when need arises.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Billie Walbank, at 0161 277 1605 or 07534969229 and billie.walbank@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

Technical requirements (Role Specific)

• A Social Work qualification is required and registration with the General Social Care Council
• Experience of providing mentoring and support to colleagues or students.
• To be able to provide an expert service a thorough knowledge and understanding of the legal framework relating to Looked After Children and Care Leavers including National Minimum Standards.
• Seek to gain specialist knowledge and understanding of specific areas of Child in Need, Child Protection and LAC. Be aware of political or legislative changes in relation to and the impact that this may have on operation services.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Working Together to Safeguard Children, Care Planning Regulations and relevant guidance and regulations relating to Child Protection.
• Ability and confidence to work constructively with Senior Managers and partners, offering a critical perspective and appropriate challenge

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term conditio

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence