At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Child Protection Conferences and ensure children's voices are central to decision-making.
- Company: Join Hackney Council's dynamic Children & Families Service.
- Benefits: Earn £45.20 per hour with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with multi-agency partners in a supportive and impactful environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through high-quality safeguarding practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with 5+ years of experience and strong knowledge of child protection laws.
The predicted salary is between 45 - 50 £ per hour.
Hackney Council is seeking a 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.
Responsibilities- 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.
- 3 years Perm Experience (DFE)
How to apply: Apply now to join Hackney's Safeguarding & Reviewing Team as a Dual IRO & CP Chair and help drive exceptional outcomes for children. Get in touch with Jordan Peat, Talent Partner.
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in London employer: Connect2Hackney
Hackney Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees and the communities they serve. As an Independent Reviewing Officer & Child Protection Chair, you will benefit from competitive pay, ongoing professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on children's lives in a vibrant and diverse London borough. Join us in our commitment to high-quality safeguarding practice and be part of a team that values anti-racist principles and collaborative multi-agency work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & 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 IRO roles. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the latest safeguarding practices. We want you to be able to showcase your expertise and demonstrate how you can make a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that IRO position. We’re all about making the application process smooth and ensuring your skills shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Independent Reviewing Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your relevant experiences in child protection and safeguarding. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead complex meetings and make authoritative decisions.
Highlight Your Values:We value anti-racist practices and a commitment to children's rights. Make sure to reflect these values in your application, showing how you've applied them in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and efficiently, helping us to review it as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with 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 knowledgeable but also committed to high-quality safeguarding practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully chaired meetings or made significant decisions in child protection. Highlight your ability to analyse complex information and provide independent challenge, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Values
Be ready to discuss how you embody anti-racist values and a trauma-informed approach in your work. This is key for Hackney Council, so share stories that illustrate your commitment to these principles in practice.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Work
Talk about your experience working collaboratively with various agencies. Emphasise your relationship-management skills and how you’ve built trusted partnerships to drive high-quality safeguarding practices. This will show you can navigate the complexities of multi-agency work effectively.
