Classifications
Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
SPA Access Officer
The SPA Access Officer will be the first point of contact for children, families, members of the public and professionals, they play a significant part in safeguarding children. The Single Point of Access (SPA) is the initial point of contact for all inquiries regarding children's services. It ensures a consistent and timely response to all contacts. The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for children, young people, and families who need help or protection. The SPA works within the MASH, collaborating with various partners such as the police, health, and probation, to share information and provide the most appropriate support and protection to children.
About the role
The role involves developing and maintaining good working relationships with a broad range of internal and external partners including the Police, Education, Health, Probation and the voluntary sector to ensure the safeguarding referrals are
responded to effectively and in a timely manner. Access Officers need the following,
- Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co- producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families.
- Experience of keeping and maintaining accurate records
- An awareness and understanding of the Children’s Social Care Sector and social work practice and relevant legislation underpinning this in particular safeguarding.
- Good interpersonal skills and a clear efficient telephone manner.
- Integrity and the ability to deal with confidential information/matters on a regular basis.
- Ability to assimilate and retain a significant and constantly changing volume of information.
For further information about this role, please contact Taziwa Makoni by email taziwa.makoni@achievingforchildren.org.uk for an informal discussion
About you
The successful postholder will have:
- A passion for Achieving for Children’s vision, mission and values (trust, value, respect) to support children and young people to live safe, happy, healthy and successful lives.
- Excellent use of a range of digital hardware or software to support your work effectively including Microsoft or Google software.
- Strong organisational abilities including: time management, creative-thinking, problem-solving and multitasking.
- Able to work flexibly and independently with limited management oversight.
- Personal determination, drive, energy and ambition to achieve challenging objectives, celebrate success and deliver excellent outcomes for children.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that are open, honest, persuasive and pragmatic, including excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here. For our Recruitment Journey, click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
