About the Role
Northampton Children's Trust is seeking an experienced Independent Review and Conference Officer to provide independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection planning. The postholder will play a critical role in ensuring that children's welfare and best interests remain central to all child protection decision-making.
Working Pattern:
- Most Review Child Protection Conferences are held virtually
- Most Initial Child Protection Conferences are held face to face
- Expect approximately 2 days per week attending physical meetings
Key Responsibilities
- Chairing Child Protection Conferences, ensuring robust, timely, and child‑focused planning
- Providing independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection processes
- Ensuring that the child's voice and interests are promoted and prioritised throughout all conferences
- Monitoring the Trust's performance in relation to child protection practice
- Identifying areas of poor or inconsistent practice and reporting concerns
- Making clear recommendations for improvement and reporting deficits to senior managers
- Working collaboratively with senior leaders to support remedial actions and service improvement
- Qualified Social Worker, with current Social Work England registration
- Minimum of 3 years' post‑qualifying experience within statutory children's services
- Strong knowledge of child protection legislation and statutory guidance
- Proven experience chairing Child Protection Conferences, including Initial and Review conferences
- Ability to exercise independent judgement and analyse complex safeguarding information
- Confident chairing and facilitation skills, including appropriate professional challenge
