You will have operational responsibility for a large investigations service comprising of 4 teams, ensuring that fitness to practise concerns are investigated to a high standard and progressed in a timely manner. All activity will be in line with our overarching objective to protect the public and uphold public confidence in the social work profession.
You will play a key role in delivering our strategic objective to ensure our investigations ser-vice operates in a responsive, collaborative and proportionate manner.
You will be responsible for leading the investigations team, in order to consistently meet challenging key performance indicators. You will ensure that robust processes are in place to identify and respond to risk within the caseload in a timely and effective way. You will actively work with external stakeholders to raise the profile of the organisation, share information and develop best practice.
- Lead, coach and motivate the investigations team to ensure fitness to practise cases are actively progressed and prioritised in line with risk indicators, challenging key performance indicators, internal guidance and legal requirements.
- Responsible for driving continual improvements to performance, particularly in relation to quality and timeliness.
- Work with your team, colleagues across the organisation and external stake-holders to devise and implement effective strategies to support timely case progression and address barriers.
- Ensure high-quality, consistent case supervision and direction is provided to the Investigators by the Lead Investigators.
- Direct and oversee the progression of high risk and high profile fitness to practise cases, including identifying and progressing matters requiring legal/professional advice and providing technical advice when needed.
- Ensure that cases presented to Social Work England’s Case Presenters are high quality, propionate and enable the Case Examiners to apply all aspects of their statutory tests.
- Ensure compliance with our policies on data protection and handling of sensitive information.
- Ensure that the investigations team maintains accurate records and case information.
- Provide operational oversight of our external legal provider, holding to account on quality and timeliness performance indicators.
- Make sure that the investigations team provides effective management of cases referred to a hearing. This includes the provision of timely and high quality instructions to our external legal provider, escalating high risk and complex matters as appropriate.
- Analyse and respond to a range of performance and quality indicators to lead and drive performance and continuous improvement within the investigations team and across the fitness to practise processes, including identifying and ad-dressing training and development needs within the team.
- Make robust, well-reasoned case management decisions and provide technical fitness to practise advice, in accordance with our statutory framework and case law, ensuring they are proportionate, transparent and fair. The decisions should ensure public protection and be capable of withstanding challenge by the courts, the Professional Standards Authority, the defence, our adjudicators and internal audits.
- Engage with external stakeholders, including representative bodies and employers to build credibility, trust and confidence in the investigations service. Deputise for the Head of Fitness to Practise Investigations as and when required.
- Experience of managing a large team responsible for a high volume work and inspiring the team to attain goals and pursue excellence.
- Experience of conducting and overseeing investigations in a regulatory or statutory environment and successful case management.
- Ability to lead a team to meet productivity targets and achieve KPIs in an environment where accuracy, timeliness and customer service is paramount.
- Experience of raising performance and motivating teams to excel against individual and organisational objectives.
- Experience of coaching staff to support their development
- Experience of sound decision making, capable of withstanding challenge, which are supported by strong arguments and based on appropriate legal tests.
- Ability to conduct thorough and proportionate risk assessments
- Excellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally with a range of stakeholders in challenging situations.
- Experience of multi-agency working, sharing information and maintaining confidentiality with external stakeholders.
- Experience of working independently under pressure in a demanding environment and managing competing deadlines whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to proactively identify and resolve problems by exploring investigative options.
- Ability to drive successful change by having input into the strategic direction of the department.
- Experience of proactive and positive approach to organisational and process change, and energising others to engage.
- A proven role model for respectful, open and honest behaviour including a demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity in service delivery.
In addition to your salary, we also offer:
- Hybrid working
- 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
- The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
- A TIDE award winning inclusive culture, made up of staff networks, social events and forums.
- A pension scheme, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Job type: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full time. We offer flexible working subject to business need.
- Salary: £55,242 per year, rising to £57,644 per year after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.
- Location: Sheffield/Hybrid
During the application process, you'll be asked to provide answers to three questions from the job description. These answers will be what your application is scored on, please answer in as much detail as possible using examples where necessary.
If you are successful at interview, we will carry out a series of routine pre-employment checks. These include verifying your references, confirming your right to work in the UK, and completing a Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
These checks are conducted in partnership with our third-party provider, Amiqus, who will guide you through the process.
Please note that all offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of these checks. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our recruitment team via [email protected] and our team will be happy to help.
If you have any queries about the recruitment process, or would like to discuss the role, please contact [email protected].
To apply, complete the application form by the closing date.
At interview we will seek to further understand your skills, knowledge, experience and motivation and test the key competencies of the role. If you are successful, we will undertake routine pre-employment checks.
