Details
Lay Case Examiner (multiple positions available)
The Role
Social Work England is the specialist body that regulates social workers in their vital role. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change, and ultimately improve people’s lives.
As a senior member of the fitness to practise department you will contribute to the effectiveness of our procedures by ensuring that cases are dealt with efficiently, objectively, and fairly by acting as a key independent decision-maker on cases at the end of the investigation stage.
The role will require you to make decisions on cases involving social workers and has significant responsibility in determining whether a case can be closed without the need for a hearing or if a matter needs to be referred to a hearing, as one of Social Work England’s statutory functions as a regulator.
Please note multiple positions are available as well as the capacity to offer part-time work (minimum of 3 days per week). The roles on offer are permanent positions apart from one position which is an 18 month fixed-term contract.
Please note registered social workers are ineligible to apply for this position.
What you will do
- Analyse cases in collaboration with a professional case examiner, determining appropriate next steps in cases referred by Investigators.
- Make impartial, and independent decisions for Social Work England that stand up to scrutiny. Articulate decisions in an accurate, concise and factual manner, using language appropriate to a broad range of interested parties.
- Evaluate evidence gathered by the investigation team and provide analytical scrutiny and expertise to the case investigation process, considering complex and emotive issues, including multiple facts.
- Identify and evaluate any additional evidence required to make determinations about whether there is realistic prospect that adjudicators will determine that fitness to practise is impaired, and the appropriate outcome, including whether it is in the public interest for the case to process to a fitness to practise hearing.
- Refer to and apply the relevant sections of our legislation and policy guidance to determine the most appropriate outcome for a case.
- Collaborate with a professional case examiner to reach consensus on the most appropriate outcome for a case, maintaining public protection as a primary focus.
- Identify and raise any actual or potential conflicts of interests.
- Participate in case examiner projects to contribute to improving the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of case examiner and wider fitness to practise processes.
Your skills, knowledge and experience
- The ability to communicate written outcomes, explaining and justifying decisions in an accurate, concise and factual manner, using language appropriate to a broad range of interested parties.
- The ability to make sound, impartial, independent and objective decisions by exercising reasoned judgement in line with the relevant rules and guidance.
- The ability to work constructively with others as part of a team.
- The ability to work in an organised and efficient manner, handling a busy and varied workload with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
- A demonstrable commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- A demonstrable commitment to the ‘Nolan Principles’ for public Life.
- A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Details
- Job type: Permanent positions and 1x fixed-term 18 month contract
- Working pattern: Full time (37 hours per week) and part-time roles available (minimum of 3 days per week)
- Salary: £53,426 per year pro-rata, rising to £55,749 per year pro-rata after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.
- Location: Home based
- Benefits: flexible working, contributory pension, life insurance and benefits portal
Application
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.
About us
Our behaviours and values - Social Work England
What our people say - Social Work England
Contact
If you have any queries about the appointment process, please contact recruitment@socialworkengland.org.uk.
How to apply
To apply, complete the application form by the closing date.
Interview
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 security checks.
Find out more about our application and interview process.
Want to know more about the role?
If you would like to discuss the role or have any other questions, please contact our recruitment team:
recruitment@socialworkengland.org.uk
