Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection in City of London
Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection

Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection in City of London

City of London Full-Time 46000 - 52000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead Child Protection Conferences and ensure children's voices are heard in decision-making.
  • Company: Hackney's Children Services, committed to anti-racist practice and continuous improvement.
  • Benefits: Full-time role with a hybrid work model and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a team that values independence, collaboration, and reflective practice.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in child protection and strong statutory knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.

Location: Hackney (Hybrid)

Hours: Full-time, 36 hours per week

Start Date: ASAP

We are currently seeking an experienced and authoritative Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair to join the Children Services Safeguarding & Quality Assurance team. This is a key statutory role, responsible for independently chairing Child Protection Conferences, Looked After Children Reviews, and Foster Carer Annual Reviews, ensuring that children’s voices, lived experiences, and best interests remain central to all decision-making.

You will provide robust professional challenge, quality assurance, and scrutiny of care planning, holding the Local Authority and partner agencies to account to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

  • Chair multi-agency Child Protection Conferences, LAC Reviews, and Foster Carer Annual Reviews
  • Make clear, defensible threshold decisions in relation to risk and significant harm
  • Ensure high-quality, timely care planning and statutory compliance
  • Champion children’s voices and lived experiences in all forums
  • Quality assure social work practice and contribute to service improvement

You will be an experienced children’s social work professional who brings credibility, confidence and strong statutory knowledge to a complex safeguarding environment.

  • Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration
  • Significant experience chairing Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Reviews
  • Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance including the Children Act 1989, IRO Handbook, Working Together, and London Child Protection Procedures

Hackney is proud of its strong social work values, commitment to anti-racist practice, and focus on continuous improvement. You will be joining a service that values professional independence, reflective practice and collaborative working to improve outcomes for children and families.

Get in touch with QSW Talent Partner, Jordan Peat.

Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection in City of London employer: Connect2Hackney

Join a forward-thinking team in Hackney that champions children's voices and prioritises their best interests. As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values professional independence and continuous improvement, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic safeguarding environment. With a commitment to anti-racist practice and collaborative working, this role offers a meaningful chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
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Contact Detail:

Connect2Hackney Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection in City of London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with child protection. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance. Make sure you can discuss how you've applied this in your previous roles, especially when it comes to chairing Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Reviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for children's welfare during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've championed children's voices and ensured their best interests were at the heart of decision-making in your past roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.

We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection in City of London

Independent Reviewing Officer
Child Protection Chair
Child Protection Conferences
Looked After Children Reviews
Foster Carer Annual Reviews
Quality Assurance
Statutory Compliance
Risk Assessment
Children's Voices Advocacy
Social Work Practice Quality Assurance
Knowledge of Children Act 1989
IRO Handbook Familiarity
Working Together Guidance
London Child Protection Procedures
Collaborative Working

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that align with the role of Independent Reviewing Officer. We want to see how your background fits into our mission of championing children's voices and ensuring their best interests are at the heart of decision-making.

Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on your experience chairing Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Reviews. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate robust professional challenge and quality assurance, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples!

Highlight Your Knowledge: Be sure to mention your strong knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance, like the Children Act 1989 and the IRO Handbook. This is crucial for us, as we need someone who can navigate the complexities of safeguarding with confidence and authority.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this important role in our Children Services Safeguarding & Quality Assurance team. Don’t miss out!

How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney

✨Know Your Legislation

Make sure you brush up on the key legislation and guidance relevant to the role, like the Children Act 1989 and the IRO Handbook. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your expertise and understanding of the statutory framework.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've chaired Child Protection Conferences or Looked After Reviews. Highlight how you ensured children's voices were heard and how you managed complex situations, as this will demonstrate your capability in a challenging environment.

✨Emphasise Collaborative Working

Since the role involves multi-agency collaboration, be ready to discuss how you've worked with different stakeholders in the past. Share examples of how you’ve built relationships and held agencies accountable to achieve positive outcomes for children.

✨Reflect on Continuous Improvement

Think about how you’ve contributed to service improvement in your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss your approach to quality assurance and how you’ve implemented changes based on feedback or observations, aligning with Hackney's commitment to continuous improvement.

Social Work Independent Reviewing Officer - Child Protection in City of London
Connect2Hackney
Location: City of London

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