About Canary House Care Ltd
Canary House Care provides residential childcare and supported accommodation services for vulnerable children and young people aged 8–18 years. The organization supports children who are looked after by Local Authorities and aims to provide safe, nurturing, therapeutic and
person-centered environments where young people can achieve positive outcomes and develop independence skills. Canary House Care also provides specialist support for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Learning Disabilities (LD), emotional and behavioral difficulties, trauma, exploitation risks and complex needs.
Job Purpose
The Looked After Children (LAC) Quality Assurance Social Worker will provide independent social work oversight, quality assurance monitoring and safeguarding support across Canary House Care's residential children's homes.
The post holder will ensure that all care practices, safeguarding procedures, care planning processes and outcomes for children meet the requirements of:
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Social Work England Professional Standards
- Equality Act 2010
- SEND Code of Practice
The role will focus on promoting positive outcomes, safeguarding vulnerable children, improving service quality and supporting the organisation to maintain Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
Key Responsibilities Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
- Complete monthly and quarterly quality assurance audits across all residential services.
- Review children's records, placement plans, risk assessments, behaviour support plans, weekly and monthly reports
- Audit safeguarding incidents, complaints, restraints, missing-from-home episodes and medication records.
- Evaluate compliance against the Children's Homes Quality Standards.
- Monitor implementation of recommendations from Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 reports.
- Produce comprehensive quality assurance reports and improvement action plans.
- Support managers in preparing for Ofsted inspections.
- Monitor service performance against key safeguarding and outcome indicators.
- Ensure evidence of children's progress is accurately recorded and measured.
- Quality assure referrals from local authorities, undertake matching assessments, and complete initial placement documentation.
Looked After Children Responsibilities
- Maintain oversight of allocated children living within Canary House Care services.
- Review care planning arrangements and placement suitability.
- Participate in statutory reviews and planning meetings.
- Ensure children's wishes, feelings and aspirations are represented in all decisions.
- Monitor educational attendance, achievement and progress.
- Promote permanency planning and long-term positive outcomes.
- Ensure children have access to advocacy services when required.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Act as safeguarding lead support for residential services.
- Monitor safeguarding concerns and child protection referrals.
- Participate in strategy meetings, professional meetings and child protection conferences.
- Ensure safeguarding investigations are completed appropriately.
- Review incidents involving:
- Missing from Care
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
- County Lines
- Self-Harm
- Bullying
- Online Safety Concerns
- Physical Intervention
- Neglect
- Emotional Harm
- Ensure lessons learned from incidents are embedded into practice.
- Promote a culture of safeguarding excellence across the organisation.
Supporting Children with Learning Disabilities and Emotional Needs
Canary House Care supports children with autism, learning disabilities and complex emotional needs through individualised support plans and therapeutic care approaches.
The post holder will:
- Monitor the effectiveness of support plans for children with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Learning Disabilities
- ADHD
- Speech and Communication Needs
- Attachment Difficulties
- Trauma Histories
- Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
- Mental Health Needs
- Ensure communication methods, language are adapted to children's individual needs.
- Promote neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed practice.
- Review positive behaviour support strategies.
- Ensure children receive access to specialist services including CAMHS.
Canary House Care's residential model promotes positive outcomes, participation, independence and person-centred support for young people.
Performance Indicators
The successful candidate will:
- Complete 100% of allocated quality assurance audits within timescales.
- Ensure all safeguarding concerns are reviewed promptly.
- Support services to achieve and maintain Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
- Improve outcomes for children across education, health and emotional wellbeing.
- Reduce safeguarding incidents through preventative practice.
- Ensure accurate and compliant recording standards.
- Improve placement stability and permanency outcomes.
- Promote meaningful participation by children and young people.
Essential Criteria Qualifications
- Degree in Social Work (BA, BSc or MA).
- Registered with Social Work England.
Experience
- Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience.
- Experience working with:
- Looked After Children
- Residential Children's Homes
- Learning Disabilities
- Child Protection
- Quality Assurance and Auditing
- Multi-Agency Safeguarding
Knowledge
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Children's Homes Regulations 2015
- Ofsted SCCIF Framework
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- SEND Code of Practice
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Positive Behaviour Support
- Attachment Theory
- Restorative Practice
Benefits
Working at Canary House Care includes:
- Competitive salary (£35,000–£40,000)
- Flexible working arrangements
- Ongoing CPD and specialist training
- Comprehensive induction programme
- Professional supervision
- Career progression opportunities
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced DBS provided
- Annual leave entitlements
Working Pattern
Flexible working arrangements available.
- Minimum 4 working days per week.
- Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet the needs of children and the service.
- Hybrid working may be considered subject to operational requirements.
Reports To
Responsible Individual / Registered Manager
Canary House Care promotes continuous professional development, comprehensive induction training and high-quality care standards across all services.
Safeguarding Statement
Canary House Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Social Work England Registration Verification
- Right to Work Checks
- Satisfactory References
- Full Safeguarding Recruitment Checks
The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion and the promotion of positive outcomes for all children and young people in our care.
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
