At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child reviews, ensuring children's voices are heard and prioritised.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hackney, a forward-thinking authority.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, impactful work, and a commitment to equality.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on anti-racist and trauma-informed practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and influence positive change.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, 5 years experience, and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
London Borough of Hackney are recruiting for an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) within their Children's Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Service. This is a key role where you will act as an independent, authoritative professional, ensuring that children's voices are central and that care planning prioritises their safety, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes.
About the role
- Chair Looked After Child Reviews and Foster Carer Annual Reviews, ensuring all meetings are child-centred and effective.
- Hold the Local Authority to account, ensuring high-quality care planning and decision-making for children.
- Provide independent scrutiny of safeguarding practice, challenging where necessary to drive improvement.
- Monitor care and permanence plans, ensuring timely progression and positive outcomes.
- Escalate concerns appropriately, including to senior leadership and external bodies where required.
- Promote systemic, trauma-informed, and anti-racist practice across services.
- Work closely with multi-agency partners to ensure coordinated and effective support for children and families.
What we're looking for
- A recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- At least 5 years post-qualifying experience, including management-level experience.
- Strong experience within Looked After Children and statutory review processes.
- In-depth knowledge of key legislation including the Children Act 1989 and IRO statutory guidance.
- Proven ability to challenge practice and influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent report writing, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Strong commitment to safeguarding and equality is essential.
Why join Hackney?
- Work within a forward-thinking, values-driven service committed to improving outcomes for children.
- Be part of an authority championing anti-racist and trauma-informed practice.
- Opportunity to influence service development and quality assurance across Children's Services.
- Collaborative, multi-agency working environment.
Interested? For more information or to apply, please contact:
Independent Reviewing Officer in Slough employer: Connect2Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is an exceptional employer for Independent Reviewing Officers, offering a dynamic and values-driven work environment dedicated to improving outcomes for children. With a strong commitment to anti-racist and trauma-informed practices, employees have the opportunity to influence service development while collaborating with multi-agency partners in a supportive setting. Additionally, Hackney prioritises employee growth and professional development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in children's safeguarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience as Independent Reviewing Officers. They can provide insights and may even know about job openings before they're advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and IRO statutory guidance. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure children's voices are central in care planning – this is key for the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with looked after children during interviews. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to challenge practices and influence decision-making at a senior level.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your relevant experience, especially your work with Looked After Children and statutory review processes. We’re looking for someone with a strong track record, so let us know what you’ve achieved in your previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
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 IRO statutory guidance. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules, but that you understand how they impact your role as an Independent Reviewing Officer.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific instances from your past experience where you’ve successfully chaired reviews or challenged practices. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you demonstrate your skills and experience effectively.
✨Showcase Your Child-Centred Approach
Since this role is all about prioritising children's voices, be ready to discuss how you ensure that their needs are at the forefront of care planning. Share examples of how you've engaged with children and families to make a positive impact.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with multi-agency partners. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve coordinated support for children and families in the past, and how you plan to continue fostering those relationships in this role.
