Caseworker/Decision Maker

Job Description

Caseworker/Decision MakerReports to: Casework Team ManagerGrade: HEOTeam/ Business Unit: Barring OperationsLocation: DarlingtonSalary Range: £30,149 - £34,575ROLE PURPOSE The post holder will undertake the management and handling of casework and associatedtasks, exercising judgement and interpretative ability using defined business rules, regulations and/or legislation and relevant good practice and precedent. They will consider a wide range of factors, evaluate and consider the facts of a case and exercisesound judgement when making appropriate, rational and often difficult decisions.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 needto be confident that they can manage on a daily basis with reading and assessing material which relates to the abuse of vulnerable people.KEY ACCOUNTABILITIESThe management and determination of casework ensuring that work is progressed to timescales/standard.Make sound decisions in complex cases with information drawn from a wide range of external sources/partners that must be well presented, supported by facts and contain all the relevant information. Liaise with individuals under consideration, their representativesand appropriate public bodies associated with a case, considering the potentially conflicting needs of individuals and the DBS. Provide advice and guidance to a wide range of external enquirers and deal with correspondence about individual cases, caseworkprocedures and legislation. Ensure risks, issues, novel and/or contentious cases are identified, discussed and actioned as appropriate. Where necessary ensure a clear escalation process to senior management is followed when issues cannot be solved at a workinglevel. Maintain consistency of casework, sharing best practice through discussion and communication with other Caseworker/Decision Makers and managers to deliver quality casework decisions. Provide regular management/statistical information to senior managers.Contribute to the DBSs continual programme of business improvement through active participation and involvement in team meetings, workshops, conferences and other groups.Operational Delivery Undertake line management responsibility for staff as and whenrequired. Work flexibly and respond positively to changing business needs and to undertake such other duties appropriate to the level of the post that may reasonably be required.Comply with the DBSs equal opportunities policies and procedures showing anunderstanding of and commitment to diversity, and how it applies to this role.KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE DesirableProven experience of dealing with caseloads of complex casework; assessing large volumes of information and evidence to come to rational and soundconclusions Proven experience of working within a legislative framework and applying legislative criteria, policy and guidance to decisionsEssential Ability to draft well structured decisions in report format Experience using IT, particularly Microsoftpackages (Word, Excel and Outlook) Ability to manage prioritise own workload Experience of working with highly sensitive and confidential informationClosing date: 11:55 pm on Sunday 21st November 2021To apply, please click the Apply button