Lead Independent Inspector

Main Purpose of the role:

The Lead Independent Inspector is responsible for leading monthly inspections across fostering regions to assess safeguarding practices, service quality, and compliance with regulatory standards. Guided by the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) or Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) Inspection Framework, the inspector plans inspections in advance, selects cases based on risk indicators, and collaborates with internal colleagues to gather intelligence and identify emerging themes.

The role requires working one dedicated week per month, a flexible, analytical approach and strong communication skills to ensure high-quality, child-centred service evaluation.

The hourly salary for this role is £45 - £48.

Travel Required: once a month to the office base of the region being inspected – dates to be agreed in advance. From 9am-5pm Monday - Wednesday of the agreed inspection week (Travel and Hotel expenses covered in line with organisational policy).

Professional Standards for All Compass Employees & Contractors:

• Adhere to the principles of R.E.A.C.H being Resilient, Educative, Accepting, Child centred and Holistic.
• Always act with professionalism.
• Maintain and role model high standards in attendance, presentation, attitude, behaviour, conduct and punctuality.
• Never use inappropriate, discriminatory, or offensive language in any work environment.
• Always treat children and others with dignity and respect.
• Not undermine fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs to our own individual beliefs
• Express personal beliefs in a way that will not overly influence children and will not exploit children's vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.
• Understand the statutory frameworks they must act within.
• Role model, identify prejudice and bullying behaviours.

Key Responsibilities:

• Regularity: Commit to 1 inspection per month (excluding August) (approx. 40 hours of work per inspection).
• Reviewing regional data and selecting focus cases
• Pursue and document lines of enquiry as they arise during the inspection process.
• Coordinating with inspectors and stakeholders.
• Conducting interviews with staff, carers, and service leads.
• Gathering feedback from children and foster carers.
• Producing detailed inspection reports aligned with SCCIF.
• Leading feedback sessions throughout the week
• Coordinating the final feedback meeting (Friday 9am) to discuss findings and recommendations with the agency.
• Write up and share the inspection report and findings report with the agency.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

Requirements

Essential

Desirable

Social Work Qualification and SWE

Registration

✓

Comprehensive understanding of fostering

processes, policies, and the challenges

faced by foster carers and children in care.

5+ years of management experience within

a Fostering team.

✓

In-depth knowledge of child protection

laws, safeguarding practices, and the

ability to identify and address risks.

✓

Strong knowledge of Ofsted's SCCIF

framework and Care Inspectorate

Wales (CIW) standards, regulations

and inspection methodology.

✓

Experience conducting inspections

or audits within children's social

care or fostering services.

✓

Excellent written communication skills

for producing clear, evidence-based

reports.

✓

Ability to analyse complex data

(e.g., allegations, serious incidents,

high risk registers, child and carer

registers) to identify risk and emerging

themes.

✓

Ability to assess complex information,

identify patterns, and make evidence-based

judgments.

Strong interpersonal skills to engage

with a range of stakeholders including

foster carers, children, social workers,

and senior managers.

✓

Confidence in leading feedback sessions

and presenting findings constructively.

✓

Ability to work independently and

collaboratively with other inspectors

and internal colleagues.

✓

High level of professional integrity

and confidentiality.

✓

Strong verbal and written communication

skills to effectively convey findings and

recommendations.

✓

Previous experience as an Ofsted/CIW

inspector or working closely with

Ofsted/CIW during inspections.

✓

Experience engaging children and young

peoplein service evaluation or participation

activities.

✓

Understanding of therapeutic fostering

models and multi-agency working.

✓

Familiarity with digital systems used

for case tracking and reporting

(e.g., portals, spreadsheets).

✓

Flexibility and adaptability to respond

to changing inspection priorities or

emerging concerns.

✓

Capability to propose practical solutions

to enhance service delivery and address

identified issues.

✓

Please note: The details contained in this Job Description is not an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform different duties commensurate with the level of the post as required by the organisation and the overall objectives of the group. The nature of the agency business means that tasks and responsibilities are sometimes unpredictable therefore colleagues are expected to work flexibly when the occasion arises.

The application deadline for this role is 13/11/2025.

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