Assistant Children's Convenor - Guernsey

To support the Children’s Convenor in the discharge of the Convenor’s statutory functions. This post provides an exciting and unique opportunity to play a significant part in the continuing development of the service and shaping the service for the future.

The Children’s Convenor is an independent statutory role that operates primarily within the Child Youth and Community Tribunal system. The Child Youth and Community Tribunal (CYCT) is a new legal forum within the Bailiwick created by the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law, 2008 (the Law). The Law has introduced fundamental and significant changes to how concerns relating to children and young people are dealt with. Based broadly on the Children’s Hearing System in Scotland, the CYCT system became operational when the Law came into force on 4 January 2010.

The CYCT replaces the court as decision maker in the majority of cases involving children where compulsory intervention is required. The people who make the decisions (Tribunal Members) are lay persons from the local community who have received specific training for the role.

The Children’s Convenor acts as gatekeeper to the CYCT, deciding which children should be referred to the CYCT. The Convenor is responsible for the general administration of the CYCT and acts as legal adviser to and legal agent within the CYCT system. As a statutory legal official the Convenor also plays a key role in developing and influencing law, policy and service delivery to promote better outcomes for children and young people.

The role of Assistant Convenor requires a blend of legal and social care, knowledge, skills and experience. The workload is diverse and includes investigating concerns relating to children and their families, providing legal and procedural advice to a lay Tribunal, researching legal issues, chairing legal meetings, making decisions on matters of fact and law, drafting legal documents and preparing and presenting cases in court.

The role involves making decisions based on social work and other professional assessments of risk and need and therefore a thorough knowledge of the principles that underpin these assessments is required. The role requires excellent communication skills due to the wide range of professionals and individuals that the role connects and interacts with; this includes children and families some of whom have experienced significant adversity and harm in their lives.

The work is demanding and challenging and the post holder will require an ability to plan and direct their own workload often balancing competing priorities as well as competing rights and interests and working to tight timescales always keeping the child’s welfare at the centre.

In view of the demands on the service there is a need to recruit an individual who is able to quickly understand and assimilate the local context and has experience of working in a similar role.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To carry out the statutory duties of the Children’s Convenor under the delegated authority of the Children’s Convenor, in particular:

a) Investigating and assessing the cases of children who are referred or notified to the Children’s Convenor to establish whether there is sufficient evidence of need and concern to conclude that compulsory measures of intervention may be required.

b) Drafting legal grounds for referral to the Child Youth and Community Tribunal (CYCT) and preparing cases for the consideration of the CYCT.

c) Convene and chair Convenor’s meetings, making determinations when required.

d) Assisting the CYCT to identify and focus on the key issues in each case.

e) Providing legal and procedural advice and direction to the CYCT.

f) Preparing and presenting cases in the Juvenile court including undertaking legal research and the preparation of skeleton arguments, legal submissions and court bundles.

• To work effectively with families and partner agencies at operational level to ensure implementation of the legal framework in relation to children at risk and ensure coordinated action and service provision for children and families.

• Ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the child in accordance with the Law and related legislation and policy.

• Ensure referrals are processed and decisions communicated appropriately to children and families and other relevant parties.

• To participate constructively as a team member to ensure consistency of practice.

• To support, coach and assist with the personal development and on-the-job training of colleagues within the team.

• To undertake any other duties as may be determined by the Children’s Convenor, from time to time.

KEY CRITERIA: ESSENTIAL

1. Qualified in law or other relevant discipline.

2. Experience of working in a similar field.

3. An ability to demonstrate an understanding of, or relevant experience within children’s social care.

4. Knowledge and understanding of the Bailiwick legislation relating to children and families and its intentions and policy context.

5. Understanding and knowledge of child care and youth justice policy and practice, and knowledge of children’s rights.

6. Proven analytical skills with an ability to exercise fine judgement and make sound evidenced-informed decisions.

7. Excellent (both oral and written) communication skills.

8. Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with an ability to gain the trust and confidence of a wide range of professionals from a range of disciplines.

9. An ability to work under pressure and to time deadlines.

10. A genuine interest in and commitment to public service and legal issues relating to children and families.