Application for Job Evaluation s8

GLPC Job Description Non-Manager

Job Title Safeguarding Investigator

Department Adult Social Care

Section Reablement and Safeguarding

Grade PO2

Safeguarding Adults Manager (Senior Practitioner) Reports to (SAM) Staffing None Responsibility

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Safeguarding Adults Manager (Senior Practitioner), will undertake independent, comprehensive and timely investigations to contribute to the Safeguarding Adults process in Brent. More specifically, this will include:

1. Undertaking duty visits and Mental Capacity assessments in complex cases as part of the initial screening and investigations 2. Leading investigations and producing high quality investigation reports for the multi-agency Safeguarding Adults Case Conference 3. Utilising all of their experience as an expert Investigator to proactively support the improvement of Safeguarding Adults investigations in Brent 4. Working flexibly, covering for colleagues when required and covering across the service area as the needs of the service dictate.

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

1. Undertaking duty visits and Mental Capacity assessments in complex cases as part of the initial screening and investigations

 Carrying out Duty Visits for complex cases  Complete disclosure interviews with adult/s at risks  Identify risks to the adult/s at risks during the duty visit.  Establish the adult at risks consent regarding the SG referral and investigation of the incident.  Carrying out Mental Capacity Assessments  Supporting the Safeguarding Adults Manager as necessary and appropriate so that the SAM can ensure people are safe.  The investigating officer must update the duty SAM on the outcome of their duty visits and their recommendations for the alert.

2. Leading investigations and producing high quality investigation reports for the multi- agency Safeguarding Adults Case Conference

Version 2: January 2015 Page 1 of 5  Clarify allegations where necessary to ensure the investigation is clearly focused  Clarifying investigative actions and ensuring the investigation action plan is clear and comprehensive  Ensure the ‘Adult at risk’ is at the centre of the investigation  Act with objectivity, tenacity, tact and exhibit lateral thinking  Fully investigate any allegations in accordance with the concepts of independence, confidentiality, due professional care and good practice, maintaining the highest professional standards  Work in a Multi Agency environment and in partnership with other organisations to deliver the Pan London procedures for Safeguarding ‘adults at risk’  Report findings of investigations, making recommendations and conclusions in a clear, concise, accurate and readable manner.  Prepare for and give expert evidence at meetings convened as part of the Pan London Safeguarding Adults procedure.  The investigating officer must keep the SAM informed of the progress of the  investigations and any change to the timescales.

3. Utilising all of their experience as an expert Investigator to proactively support the improvement of Safeguarding Adults investigations in Brent.

 Support investigations where other agencies are taking the lead, providing high quality advice and information, as an expert investigator, to drive up the quality of all investigations in Brent  Assist where necessary providing advice on Safeguarding Adults and Investigations to all staff in Adult Social Care and other non-investigating staff  Support training for other investigators  Have regard for systems control failures, weaknesses and poor value for money when undertaking investigations and to make the relevant recommendations for improvement  Participate in national regional Safeguarding Adults initiatives to improve outcomes for people in Brent  Input in to the continual review and appraisal of the operation and performance of the team and to initiate and undertake Investigation Service Improvement Projects as required and to demonstrate best practice at all times.

4. Working flexibly, covering for colleagues when required and covering across the service area as the needs of the service dictate.

 Provide a customer focused service.  Work proactively to make a positive contribution to the delivery of the service and working within the values and vision of the Council and Adult Social Care  Carry out duties with due regard to the Councils customer care; equal opportunities; information governance and health and safety policies and procedures.  Carrying out duties, practice and procedures based on professional knowledge, legislative, statutory requirements and council & departmental policy  Maintaining records of work and information required and according to procedures. To understand the value of information to the council and to contribute to good information governance by keeping information safe, secure, accurate and up to date and available to those who need it. Abide by the council’s information governance policies  Be honest and above reproach in all dealings, displaying the highest standards of professionalism at all times, maintaining complete confidentiality  Ensure their own work meets quality standards in all aspects: a. Quality of investigations and assessments b. Quality of outcomes

Version 2: January 2015 Page 2 of 5 c. Quality of Customer Care as defined by the ASS Vision and Values d. Quality of case recording and information gathered  Manage and prioritise a personal workload and be able to work on their own initiative.  Ensure the effective use of resources in the Team.

General

5. High level of risk because the post is focused on investigating Safeguarding Adults referrals. 6. Develop partnership working with key external stakeholders across the public, private and voluntary sectors; at all times to work closely and effectively with relevant partner organisations. 7. Involvement in service improvement projects as directed by Team Manager to ensure implementation of new legislative and operational policy requirements. 8. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults. 9. Carry out duties with due regard to the Council’s Customer Care, Equal Opportunities, Information Governance, Data Protection and Health and Safety policies and procedures. 10. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.

DBS Status Enhanced and Barred from working with Adults

Politically Restricted No

Version 2: January 2015 Page 3 of 5 Person Specification

Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience: Specify the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities required.

All criteria are essential

Knowledge and Qualifications:

 Relevant professional qualification.  Evidence of current registration with the related professional body.  Evidence of significant relevant CPD.  Evidence of significant knowledge and understanding of relevant legislative and policy framework for Investigations and Safeguarding Adults (for example, Mental capacity Act, Data Protection act and Human Rights Legislation).  Knowledge and understanding of Equality Duties and practice.

Experience:

Applicants should have experience of

 Undertaking complex investigations and reporting in senior or multi-agency environments.  Working in a varied range of roles across adult social care, health or criminal justice and with different client groups.  Of working with a range of people (older people and younger people (over 18) with disabilities including learning disabilities and mental health issues.  Ensuring that the statutory duties are understood and met across multi-disciplinary teams.  Working in a role, which requires tenacity and tact to manage a wide range of stakeholders, to deliver outcomes for individuals.

Version 2: January 2015 Page 4 of 5 Skills and Abilities:

 Able to discern fact from rumour (to implement an evidence based approach) to investigation.  Take a logical & methodical approach.  Work on your own initiative, in potentially difficult circumstances, to achieve an outcome.  Ability to challenge your peers and other key stakeholders to get the evidence required.  Ability to take on improvement projects enable and support the learning and development of others as part of a team wide approach to improving quality.  Ability to write high quality reports.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to undertake robust, holistic and evidence based complex assessments, underpinned by a clear understanding of Mental Capacity.  Ability to engage with people in fluctuating circumstances and capacities, including where there is hostility and risk.  Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to enable you to work with a range of stakeholders to make and communicate clear decisions based on robust risk assessments.  Excellent negotiation and advisory skills.  Demonstrate the use of technologies and techniques required to achieve the above.  Ability to work respectfully in partnership with vulnerable adults and their carers, eliciting and respecting their needs and views and promoting their participation in decision-making.  Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).

Version 2: January 2015 Page 5 of 5