Court Progression Officer - Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) (Full Time)
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>ECAS Court Progression Officer </strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Children’s Care & Support – Family Support & Safeguarding</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Be part of something new. Shape better futures for children.</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We are recruiting to an exciting opportunity within our new Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) — a specialist, innovative service designed to transform how we support children and families through pre-proceedings and care proceedings.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an opportunity to join at the early stages of a new and ambitious service, working at the heart of practice, performance and court improvement. You will play a key role in shaping the success of ECAS and influencing how we deliver high-quality, timely and child-focused legal work.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>About the Role</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As the ECAS Court Progression Officer, you will operate as a senior specialist practitioner, working closely with the Court Progression Manager, social work teams, Legal Services and the Family Court.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You will:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Drive timely and high-quality court progression, ensuring practice is court-ready and compliant</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide oversight and quality assurance of cases in pre-proceedings and care proceedings</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Identify and challenge delay, drift and where practice can be improved.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support the development of robust legal planning and evidence-based decision making</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Act as a key link between social care, legal services and the wider Family Justice system</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This role is critical in improving outcomes for children by ensuring their cases progress effectively and that their voice is clearly evidenced in legal processes</span></p>
Special requirements for this post
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We welcome applications from qualified and experienced candidates. You will need to have a Social Work. You will need to hold a current SW England registration.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including an Enhanced Children’s Department of Barring Services check.</span></p>
About you
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What We’re Looking For</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We are seeking an experienced and motivated social work practitioner who:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Has significant experience in court and pre-proceedings work</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Brings strong knowledge of Children Act legislation, PLO and care proceedings</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Is confident in quality assuring court reports and influencing practice standards</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Can analyse performance, identify themes and drive improvement</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Is comfortable working in high-pressure environments and providing professional challenge</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England</span></p>
About us
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Why Join ECAS Now?</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This role offers a genuine opportunity to be part of a brand-new service at the forefront of practice innovation. You’ll help shape systems, processes and standards from the ground up.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You’ll develop your expertise in court work, quality assurance and performance improvement. You won’t just be joining a team, you’ll be helping to build it, influence it and lead improvement across the system.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Our Offer to You</strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A unique opportunity to join an innovative and growing service</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A role with real influence across systems and partner agencies</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Opportunities for professional development and progression</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A supportive environment focused on learning, improvement and impact for children.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If you like the sound of moving to an authority where social workers are truly valued, get in touch with us today for a confidential discussion about this post by emailing socialcarerecruitment@lbbd.gov.uk</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>