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.
IND03