Safeguarding Children & Quality Assurance Service and Principal Social Worker

The Safeguarding Children and Quality Assurance Service includes the Child Protection Conference Chairs, Independent Reviewing Officers, Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer, Practice Development Team, Child in Need Co-Ordinator, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the CYPS Consultation & Review Officer.

The Safeguarding Children element of the service relates to the independent scrutiny and oversight of children and young people subject to a child protection plan or children we look after. The Fostering IRO ensures Foster Carers annual reviews take place as required. The LADO is responsible for Allegation Management Meetings and exploring whether a person who works with children and young people in a permanent or voluntary basis is safe to do so. The Practice Development Team are responsible for ensuring that we continuously focus and prioritise good practice standards across the whole of Children's Social Care. Within the team we have the Child in Need Co-Ordinator and the Consultation and Review Officer who support the work of the team but also ensure they focus on their key areas of priority. The Quality Assurance element of the service relates to the organisation of our quality assurance tool, the Collaborative Case Review, and collation of all quality assurance work undertaken across CSC.

The Head of Safeguarding Children & Quality Assurance is also the Principal Social Worker. The Manager of the Practice Development Team is the Assistant Principal Social Worker. The PSW's role is to ensure professional practice oversight to lead, oversee, support and develop excellent social work practice. To embed the highest standards of social work practice across the organisation by providing skilled and experienced leadership and practice knowledge to social workers and social care practitioners. Promote evidence-based social practice and advocate for social inclusion.