Independent Reviewing Officer

Our client is looking to recruit a full-time independent reviewing officer/Conference Chair Children's on a 6 month contract. You will have a key role in driving care planning and promoting positive outcomes for our looked after children and young people. The client is looking for someone who is enthusiastic, a strong advocate for young people and is passionate about the wellbeing and outcomes for looked after children.

You will be responsible for chairing looked after children reviews. Your primary focus will be to oversee and quality assure the planning and review process for each young person. This involves understanding and promoting the young person's voice and driving plans that are aspirational for young people and support them to achieve stability and permanence at the earliest opportunity. You will conduct face to face visits to all your young people at least once between every looked after review meeting and will ensure IRO midway reviews are conducted between each looked after review meeting to ensure the young person's plan is progressing.

You will need substantial experience across different statutory social work teams and particularly with looked after children and families. You will have experience of chairing complex meetings and of working within a multi-agency framework. You will have a thorough working knowledge of the legal framework relating to looked after children, including Care Planning Regulations and the duties and responsibilities of the Independent Reviewing Officer as set out in the IRO Handbook.

You will join a friendly, supportive and committed team and play a full part in its operation and ongoing development. You will receive regular supervision, training and development opportunities, all aimed at promoting positive outcomes for young people.

• Chair and take responsibility for the conduct of all conferences/reviews ensuring that each meeting is held in accordance with legislation, associated regulations and guidance and departmental processes.
• To monitor the Care plan, ensuring that actions are carried out within timescales and outcomes are monitored and ensure the review takes place within statutory timescales.
• To advocate on behalf of the child where the child or chair perceives an inadequacy of service provision or where the child's legitimate wishes and feelings conflict with the views of others who have responsibility for the child.
• Ensure the appropriate arrangements are made for the child to be informed about the meeting.
• To promote the engagement and participation of children and their families.
• To be responsible for the overall management of the service in relation to LAC and Child Protection (CP) Plan and contribute to the development of company policy, practice and services, efficiency and effectiveness by developing working groups and training forums as required.
• To monitor and evaluate the standards and effectiveness of service delivery and to provide regular reports and feedback.
• Provide professional advice, guidance and information.
• Undertake visits to children's residential homes in line with relevant regulations as required.
• Liaise, negotiate, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including managers, employees, and members of the public and partnership agencies.
• Undertake/contribute to performance management and complex data analysis and interpretation, promoting quality practice and service delivery, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of local and national regulations, policies and procedures which have implications for service delivery, to satisfy internal and external demands.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as requested by management.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work at senior levels within an organisation and partnership agreements, sometimes in areas of tension and conflict.
• Strong organisation and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure, being self-motivated and able to use own initiative under minimal supervision.
• Ability to produce quality documentation including reports, ensuring they are suitable for particular audiences.
• Ability to carry out research and develop policies and procedures.

If you feel you have the experience and skills for this role please apply via your CV.