Caseworker/Decision Maker

Disclosure and Barring Service

Caseworker/Decision Maker

Reports to:     Casework Team Manager
Grade:            HEO
Location:        Darlington

ROLE PURPOSE  

The post holder will manage an allocated caseload to conclusion, resulting in a decision as to whether an individual should be included in a barred list or not.   They will need to   exercise judgement and analytical ability using defined business processes and guidance, regulations and/or legislation along with relevant good practice and precedent.  They will consider a wide range of factors, evaluate, and consider the facts of a case, make findings, and assess the risk and appropriateness of including someone in a barred list. This exercise of critical thinking, sound judgement and appropriateness to make rational and sometimes difficult decisions is key to this role.

The post holder will need to be resilient and be able to reconcile themselves to the nature of the casework and deal with managing a caseload in challenging situations. They need to be confident that they can manage on a daily basis with reading and assessing material which relates to the abuse of vulnerable people.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 
 

Desirable

• Experience of working within a safeguarding organisation.

• Relevant qualifications at or above degree level or equivalent experience.

• Experience of preparing written reports for legal/regulatory purposes.

• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and procedures.

• Recent safeguarding related training.

Essential

•   Experience of working with vulnerable groups.

 

•   Experience of making safeguarding risk-based decisions in relation to the protection of vulnerable groups.

 

•   Ability to apply an objective, evidenced based approach to decision making that is rooted in critical/risk analysis.

 

•   Proven experience of working within a legislative framework and applying legislative criteria, policy and guidance to decision making.

 

•   Ability to assess large volumes of information and in a timely fashion arrive at rational and sound conclusions that address any safeguarding risk and meet service need.

 

•   Experience of working in a pressurised environment that focuses on outcomes for the public/service users.

 

•   Ability to draft well-structured decisions in report format.

 

•   Experience using IT, particularly Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, and Outlook)

 

•   Ability to manage, prioritise and frequently re-prioritise own work/caseload of cases.

 

•   Experience of working with highly sensitive and confidential information.

 

•   Ability to work in a team to achieve team objectives.

 

•   Knowledge of how to apply professional curiosity, critical analysis, and challenge to peer case decisions.

 

•   Openness to challenge and ability to learn lessons from mistakes.

 

•   Knowledge of how and when to escalate concerns.

 

•   Ability to read and assimilate case information from computer-based systems

 

The closing date for this role is 11:55 pm on Sunday 23rd January 2022