Medical Journalist jobs

About the Role

Cross-Cultural Services is seeking an experienced, eye for detail and reliable freelance Proofreader to review Independent Social Worker (ISW) assessment reports before submission to commissioning Local Authorities, solicitors and the courts.

The successful candidate will have excellent written English, strong attention to detail and the ability to review complex professional reports relating to children and families. Experience in social work, safeguarding, parenting assessments or court-related documentation would be an advantage.

The role involves proofreading reports, identifying areas requiring clarification or amendment, and communicating directly with Independent Social Workers (ISWs) to discuss and resolve identified issues. The objective is to ensure that every report is accurate, coherent, professionally presented and ready for filing within the agreed timeframe.

Key Responsibilities

• Proofread Independent Social Worker assessment reports of up to 75 pages for spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure.
• Review reports for clarity, coherence, consistency, readability and professional presentation.
• Identify repetition, inconsistencies, ambiguous wording and areas requiring clarification or amendment.
• Check names, dates, headings, terminology, references and formatting throughout reports.
• Ensure that decisions made by the ISW’s are fair, balanced and have considered all areas of strengths and vulnerabilities.
• Provide constructive feedback on sections requiring further explanation or improvement.
• Liaise directly with the ISW to discuss identified issues, clarify queries and agree appropriate amendments.
• Incorporate agreed amendments following discussions with the ISW and ensure the final report is proofread and ready for filing.
• Where a support plan is required, proofread the associated support plan alongside the assessment, ensuring consistency between the assessment findings, recommendations and proposed support.
• Ensure amendments preserve the ISW’s independent professional judgement, evidence, analysis, opinions and conclusions.
• Complete the work within the required two-working-day turnaround, including discussions with the ISW and incorporation of agreed amendments.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable data protection requirements when handling sensitive information relating to children and families.

Essential Requirements

• Excellent written English and demonstrable proofreading skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to review lengthy and complex professional documents.
• Confidence in communicating professionally with ISWs to discuss queries and required amendments.
• Ability to work independently, manage deadlines and deliver high-quality work within two working days.
• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the sensitive nature of child and family assessment reports.
• A reliable, organised and professional approach to work.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in social work, children’s services, safeguarding or family assessment services.
• Familiarity with Independent Social Worker reports, parenting assessments, child protection assessments or court-directed assessments.
• Experience proofreading reports prepared for Local Authorities, solicitors or family court proceedings.
• Knowledge of statutory social work terminology, assessment frameworks and professional report-writing standards.

Experience reviewing support plans and ensuring that recommendations are clear, practical and consistent with assessment findings

Payment and Working Arrangements

The following fixed fees apply:

• £100 per assessment report of up to 75 pages, where no separate support plan is required.
• £120 per assessment and support plan where both documents require proofreading and finalisation.

The agreed fee includes:

• Proofreading and quality checking of the relevant document(s).
• Discussions with the ISW to clarify identified issues and agree amendments.
• Incorporation of agreed amendments.
• Final checks to ensure the assessment report, and support plan where applicable, are consistent, professionally presented and ready for filing.

The fee covers the agreed proofreading and amendment process within the scope of the original assignment.

Assignments are offered on a freelance, self-employed and ad hoc basis. Reports and associated documents will be shared through an agreed secure method.

The proofreader will not be responsible for undertaking the assessment, making safeguarding decisions or independently changing the ISW’s professional findings. Any substantive concerns must be discussed with the report author, who retains responsibility for the assessment’s content and professional conclusions.

Confidentiality and Professional Standards

All reports contain sensitive personal information relating to children, parents and families. The successful applicant must maintain strict confidentiality, handle documents securely, comply with applicable data protection requirements and not disclose or retain case information beyond what is authorised.

Pay: £25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexitime

Work Location: Remote