Lead Investigator

Social Work England; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory body is seeking a Lead Investigator to manage investigations of fitness-to-practice concerns. Responsibilities include leading a team, ensuring high-quality investigations, and managing high-risk cases. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in team management and a strong focus on customer service. This permanent role based in Sheffield offers flexible and hybrid working options, with a salary range of £44,866 to £47,293 after probation. Benefits include generous leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Employee recognition scheme

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Qualifications

• Experience managing a high volume of casework.
• Track record of effective team leadership.
• Ability to lead under pressure while maintaining accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Manage investigations team and oversee high-risk cases.
• Conduct regular supervision of investigators.
• Develop training resources for ongoing development of staff.

Skills

Team management

Problem-solving

Customer focus

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Job description

The Role

Social Work England is the specialist body that regulates social workers in their vital role. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change, and ultimately improve people’s lives.

The lead investigator will lead and manage an investigations team which focuses on progressing fitness to practise concerns, including high-profile and complex cases.

Successful candidates will play a key role in ensuring robust, high-quality investigations in line with statutory rules, guidance and procedures, and ensuring that investigators have the knowledge, skills, training and support to deliver a high level of service to social workers and members of the public.

What you will do

• Proactively line manage a team of investigators to ensure robust, high-quality investigations, in line with key performance indicators.
• Manage high risk cases and/or cases of a serious nature in line with guidance and procedures and escalate issues where appropriate, to ensure public safety is always maintained.
• Support and provide regular supervision to investigators in the planning, risk assessing and progressing of cases in line with guidance and procedures.
• Conduct reviews of your teams Investigation Plans, Risk Assessments and other key products, ensuring they are of a consistent high-quality.
• Ensure that your team present high-quality case investigation reports and evidential bundles to social workers and the Case Examiners which identify issues clearly and present recommendations based on sound rationale.
• Develop training materials and delivery of induction and on‑going training for investigators with the support of the investigations manager.
• To support the investigations manager and wider fitness to practise management team by being a champion of change, assisting with implementing change initiatives within the immediate and wider investigations teams through project work including reviews of standard operating procedures as required.
• Work effectively with the External Legal Provider to ensure that cases instructed to them from your team are well managed in a timely manner, that they have all of the information required to conduct their investigation and that management and tracking systems are kept up to date.
• Contribute to the overall management and response to complaints received regarding cases within your team.
• Ensure that your team effectively manages large quantities of sensitive information, safeguards privacy and proactively avoids data security issues.
• Ensure that your team maintains accurate records and case information, using the case management system to ensure the integrity of data.
• Deputise for the investigations manager as required.

Your Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Experience of managing a team responsible for a high volume of casework and inspiring teams to attain goals and pursue high quality investigation work with strong levels of customer focus/service.
• Ability to lead a team to meet productivity targets and achieve key performance indicators in an environment where accuracy, timeliness and customer service is paramount.
• Ability to actively identify and resolve problems, including by providing sound instruction and advice to others.
• Track record of serving as a role model and mentor.
• Demonstration and encouragement of good team morale.
• Ability to be a champion of continuous improvement, delivering training and assisting with implementing change within a team.
• Excellent oral communication and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate professionally in challenging situations.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to review all the available information to identify key issues, summarise in a clear concise manner and the ability to make risk‑based recommendations based on evidence and sound judgement.
• Experience of working independently under pressure in a busy, demanding, environment using prioritisation and organisational skills whilst managing competing deadlines.
• Significant experience of managing complex and varied caseloads and meeting individual targets.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records, case information and other records.
• Experience of using analytical skills and exploring investigative options with an attention to detail.
• Experience of multi‑agency working with a proven record of sharing sensitive information, managing risk and maintaining confidentiality with external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with a range of audiences.
• A proven role model for respectful, open and honest behaviour including a demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity in service delivery.

Details

• Job type: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time. We offer flexible working subject to business need.
• Salary:£44,866 per year, rising to £47,293 per year after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.
• Location: Sheffield/hybrid

The Benefits

In addition to your salary, we also offer:

• Hybrid working, expectation of attending the Sheffield offices 20-40% of the working week (1-2 days)
• 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
• A TIDE award winning inclusive culture, made up of staff networks, social events and forums.
• A pension scheme, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle to work scheme.

Application

During the application process, you’ll be asked to provide answers to three questions from the job description. These answers will be what your application is scored on, please answer in as much detail as possible using examples where necessary.

Join us - Social Work England

Our behaviours and values - Social Work England

What our people say - Social Work England

Pre‑Employment Checks

If you are successful at interview, we will carry out a series of routine pre‑employment checks. These include verifying your references, confirming your right to work in the UK, and completing a Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. These checks are conducted in partnership with our third‑party provider, Amiqus, who will guide you through the process. Please note that all offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of these checks. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our recruitment team via [e-mail] and our team will be happy to help.

Contact

If you have any queries about the recruitment process, or would like to discuss the role, please contact [e-mail].

How to apply

To apply, complete the application form by the closing date.

Interview

At interview we will seek to further understand your skills, knowledge, experience and motivation and test the key competencies of the role. If you are successful, we will undertake routine pre‑employment checks.

Find out more about our application and interview process.

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