Child Protection Conference Chair

Child Protection Conference Chair, Independent Reviewing Officer

Working Style: Hybrid 2 days in the office

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You will provide expert advice, chair complex meetings, monitor performance, and contribute to strategic development across safeguarding services. You’ll also work closely with internal teams and external partners to promote safer practices and improve outcomes for children and families

Key responsibilities

• Chair statutory reviews for Children Looked After (CLA) and Child Protection Conferences (CPCs), ensuring compliance with legislation, policy, and procedures.

• Monitor and record CLA and CPC processes accurately, ensuring plans are child-centred, needs-based, and outcome-focused.

• Provide expert guidance to social workers and managers on planning, review, and conferencing procedures, acting as a critical friend.

• Lead and contribute to service development through projects, investigations, and training, using evidence-based practice and performance data.

• Maintain health and safety standards and undertake relevant personal training as required.

• Support the LADO duty system by offering advice to organisations and chairing Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers (ASV) meetings.

About you

• Holds a professional qualification in social work and is registered with Social Work England
• Has at least five years’ post-qualifying experience in child protection, including two years in management
• Demonstrates strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills
• Is confident in chairing complex meetings and managing sensitive safeguarding issues
• Has experience in performance monitoring and service development

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• A wide range of flexible working opportunities

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Otilia Broadhurst - Otilia.Broadhurst@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 19thSeptember 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed