Practice Development Lead

Practice Development Lead (Audit Officer - YJS) – Project Role

This is a 12 months fixed term role, full- time (35 hours per week) at grade L.

This is a non-case holding role, with some flexible working arrangements (office based on 3 days per week and more if service needs require).

Tower Hamlets Council has an exciting opportunity for an Audit Officer to directly support the delivery of the Quality Assurance Framework of the Supporting Families Division (Early Help, Youth Justice/Youth Services, Children’s Social Care) with a particular focus on auditing within the Youth Justice Service.

The key focus for this role is to undertake audits, mainly in YJS, in accordance with the Quality Assurance Framework, ensuring effective and evaluative scrutiny of practice that supports the continuous improvement and development of practice in the service.

This role is based within the Learning Academy/Supporting Families Division. The day-to-day oversight and management will be provided by the Quality Assurance Group Manager with close joint working with the YJS Management group.

In this dynamic role the Audit Officer will:

• Undertake audits and dip audits (main focus on YJS) as directed by the Quality Assurance Manager, including designing bespoke audit tools where necessary.
• Collate and analyse audit data and prepare reports outlining audit findings and recommendations on practice areas for Senior Managers and other levels of the service.
• Support the Quality Assurance Manager and work alongside the Practice Development Lead (PDL) to ensure the delivery of the Quality Assurance Framework through an agreed programme of audit activity.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training programmes based on the outcomes of audit activity.
• Track audit actions against progress.
• Support the Quality Assurance Manager and YJS Lead and work alongside the Practice Development Lead to monitor the impact of learning and development programme.
• Assist the Quality Assurance Manager and YJS to update, review and produce policies and procedures and to support their implementation.
• Undertake one-off quality assurance tasks including Management Case Reviews and Service Evaluations where required.
• Support the process from the point of audit through to impact of the learning campaign with the PDL.
• Review end to end processes and tools relating to the Multi-Agency Case discussion.
• Support the joining up of the workforce development approach following audit findings with YJS and the offer from the Learning Academy.

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

• Strong writing skills to develop new policies and procedures.
• Excellent analytical, data analysis and presentation skills.
• Ability to present information concisely and with impact.
• Ability to mentor, guide staff in developing their practice and court work skills.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to produce technical documents that accurately report methodological and statistical information.
• Strong partnership building and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent project and time management skills and the ability to deliver high quality work in fast paced environment.
• Interest in and adaptability to work in line with our Practice Framework “Better Together”

The successful candidate will have the following knowledge and experience:

• At least 5 years practice experience within a YJS, including significant experience in auditing/quality assurance activities.
• Auditing Experience is essential
• Strong knowledge of the legislative framework and national and local standards and procedures relating to YJS
• Up to date knowledge of good practice and or research findings in working with vulnerable children and families
• Familiarity with quality assurance frameworks and reporting cycles.
• Understand how to drive and embed change at all levels within an organisation.
• Have a proven ability to effectively engage and deal with stakeholders at all levels in the delivery of programme outcomes.
• Bring a structured and organised approach with appropriate rigour.
• Bring clarity and pace to delivery in a complex environment.

The candidate will be required to work on-site 3 days per week at the Town Hall in Whitechapel.

The days to work from the Town Hall are Tuesday and Wednesday and one other day agreed between the successful candidate and the service.