Return Interview Worker

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

We are responsible for the entire range of children’s education, health and social care services in all three boroughs. We use a Signs of Safety practice model and approach which ensures the voice of the child is at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a better time to join AfC, we are growing our workforce, implementing new flexible working arrangements and have increased our virtual wellbeing offer.

As a Return Interview Worker for Achieving for Children, you will be responsible for offering and completing return interviews with children who are reported missing who live at home or who are looked after children living in or out of the boroughs of Richmond and Kingston.

About the role

A Return Interview Worker offers a child-centered, return interview, with the purpose of identifying and reporting any harm a child may have suffered whilst absent from home or care, and to try to understand and address the ‘push and pull’ factors surrounding the child’s reported missing episode

This will include the following:

- Understand the risks that the child was exposed to during a missing episode
- Explore the ‘Triggers’ for the missing episode and the ‘push/pull’ factors
- Reduce and prevent the risks of further episodes
- Provide advice in relation to staying safe if a child feels they need to leave home or placement again
- Identify any concerns and share relevant information with key professionals

About you

To be a Return Interview Worker for Achieving for children, you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people as well as demonstrating the following points:

- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills that are open and honest.
- A resilient worker, able to work effectively in a team or on your own initiative, taking ownership and responsibility.
- Strong organisational abilities including: time management, creative-thinking, problem-solving and multitasking.
- Have experience or an understanding of working in relation to contextual safeguarding, exploitation and the links this may have to children who are reported missing

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.
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Stable and supportive leadership
- Hybrid and mobile working (between home and work) with latest technology to facilitate this
- 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

Important Information

**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.

**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).