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- Tasks: Lead Child Protection Conferences and ensure children's voices are central to decision-making.
- Company: Hackney's Children Services, committed to anti-racist and trauma-informed practices.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a focus on professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while championing their rights and experiences.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with 5+ years of experience in child protection.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Hackney (Hybrid)
Rate: £45.20ph Umbrella
Hours: Full-time, 36 hours per week
Start Date: ASAP
About the Role
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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
- Provide independent professional challenge and escalate concerns where required, including to senior leadership and CAFCASS
- Quality assure social work practice and contribute to service improvement
- Promote and role-model systemic, trauma-informed and anti-racist practice
- Work effectively with partner agencies to avoid drift and delay
About You
You will be an experienced children’s social work professional who brings credibility, confidence and strong statutory knowledge to a complex safeguarding environment.
Essential requirements:
- Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration
- Minimum 5 years post-qualifying experience, including management-level responsibility
- 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
- Proven ability to challenge practice constructively at senior level
- Commitment to anti-racist, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed practice
Why Work with Hackney?
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.
To Apply: Get in touch with QSW Talent Partner, Jordan Peat, Jordan.Peat@connect2hackney.co.uk.
Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair in London employer: Connect2Hackney
Contact Detail:
Connect2Hackney Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair in 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 of opportunities or can give you insights that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance. Be ready to discuss how you would champion children's voices and tackle challenges in safeguarding – this is key for roles like the Independent Reviewing Officer.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past roles where you’ve chaired Child Protection Conferences or Looked After Reviews. Real-life examples will make your application memorable.
✨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 about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Independent Reviewing Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in chairing Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Reviews, to show us you’re the right fit.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with the key responsibilities. We want to see examples of how you've championed children's voices and tackled challenges in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your strengths.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on key legislation like the Children Act 1989 and the IRO Handbook. Being able to reference these during your interview will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules, but that you understand how they apply in practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully chaired Child Protection Conferences or Looked After Reviews. Highlight how you’ve championed children’s voices and made defensible decisions regarding risk and harm.
✨Demonstrate Professional Challenge
Be ready to discuss times when you’ve constructively challenged practices at a senior level. This role requires robust professional challenge, so showing that you can do this effectively will be crucial.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Working
Talk about your experience working with partner agencies to avoid drift and delay. Highlight any successful collaborations that led to improved outcomes for children and young people, as this aligns with Hackney's values.