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- Tasks: Lead Child Protection Conferences and ensure children's voices are central to decision-making.
- Company: Hackney Council, committed to high-quality safeguarding and anti-racist values.
- Benefits: Competitive rate of £45.20 per hour with immediate start.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through impactful safeguarding practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with 5+ years experience and deep knowledge of child protection laws.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and exceptional outcomes for children.
Hackney Council is seeking an exceptional Dual IRO and Child Protection Chair to join our Children & Families Service. This is a key leadership role for an authoritative social work professional who is committed to high-quality safeguarding practice, anti-racist values, and improving outcomes for children.
You will independently chair Child Protection Conferences, Looked After Children Reviews, and Foster Carer Annual Reviews, ensuring the child's voice and lived experience remain central to all decision-making. As a senior safeguarding professional, you will provide rigorous oversight, challenge practice where needed, and drive high-quality multi-agency work.
What You'll Do- Chair Child Protection Conferences and make clear, evidence-based threshold decisions on significant harm.
- Chair Looked After Child (LAC) Reviews with a systemic, trauma-informed and anti-racist approach.
- Chair Foster Carer Annual Reviews, ensuring compliance with National Minimum Standards.
- Provide independent scrutiny on care planning and safeguarding practice, challenging drift or delay.
- Hold the local authority to account and escalate concerns up to Chief Executive level and CAFCASS where required.
- Build trusted, respectful relationships with children, families and carers, ensuring rights are upheld and voices heard.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to drive high-quality safeguarding practice across the network.
- Contribute to policy development, training, audits and continuous improvement of social work standards.
- A qualified social worker with Social Work England registration and 5+ years post-qualifying experience.
- Deep knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Working Together 2023, IRO Handbook, London Child Protection Procedures, and National Fostering Standards.
- Strong ability to analyse complex information, make authoritative decisions, and provide independent challenge.
- Experience in statutory child protection and looked-after processes, with the ability to lead complex meetings.
- A practitioner who role-models systemic, trauma-informed, and anti-racist practice.
- Confident communication and relationship-management skills across all levels, including senior leaders.
- A commitment to ensuring children's rights, safeguarding, and high-quality social work intervention.
Ready to make a meaningful impact? Apply now to join Hackney's Safeguarding & Reviewing Team as a Dual IRO & CP Chair and help drive exceptional outcomes for children.
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in Hackney employer: Connect2Hackney
Contact Detail:
Connect2Hackney Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in Hackney
✨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 insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and current safeguarding practices. We recommend role-playing common interview questions with a friend to build your confidence and articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for safeguarding and anti-racist values during interviews. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've made a difference in children's lives, as this will resonate well with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in Hackney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in child protection and safeguarding. We want to see how your skills align with the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer and Child Protection Chair.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your hands-on experience in statutory child protection and looked-after processes. We’re looking for real examples that demonstrate your ability to lead complex meetings and make authoritative decisions.
Highlight Your Values: Since we value anti-racist practices and high-quality safeguarding, make sure to reflect these values in your application. Share how you’ve implemented these principles in your previous roles to show us you’re a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Children Act 1989, Working Together 2023, and the IRO Handbook. Being able to reference these during your interview will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully chaired meetings or made significant decisions. Highlight how you’ve ensured the child’s voice was central in those situations, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Values
Since the role emphasises anti-racist values and high-quality safeguarding, be ready to discuss how you embody these principles in your work. Share instances where you’ve challenged practices or advocated for children’s rights.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Work
Talk about your experience working collaboratively with other agencies. Prepare to discuss how you’ve built relationships and driven multi-agency efforts to improve outcomes for children, as this is key to the role.
