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- Tasks: Lead reviews for Looked After Children and ensure their voices are heard in care planning.
- Company: Hertfordshire County Council, committed to supporting vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and ongoing professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with at least 5 years of experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 35 - 50 £ per hour.
Hertfordshire County Council is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to be based at County Hall, Hertford. This is a vital role within Children's Services, supporting Looked After Children (CLA) and ensuring the highest standards of care planning and review.
Working Arrangements: Hybrid role with face-to-face meetings across Hertfordshire and beyond. WFH is available for review write-ups, with office bases and touchdown points accessible. Attendance at the office is required when meetings are scheduled. Travel across the county is essential.
Key Responsibilities:- Chair statutory reviews for Looked After Children, primarily face to face, including all associated administrative tasks.
- Independently scrutinise and monitor the progression of care plans in line with the Review of Children's Cases Regulations.
- Ensure the adolescent's voice is central to the review process and reflected within care planning.
- Identify and challenge any drift or delay in care planning, escalating concerns where appropriate.
- Ensure adolescents are offered an independent IRO visit at least annually.
- Participate in team meetings, duty systems and first review systems.
- Attend monthly supervision.
- Undertake audit work as required.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners, independent advocates, interpreters and the Children's Participation Team.
The IRO plays a critical role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Looked After Children. In line with DfES IRO Guidance, the postholder must inform senior managers of any issues impacting an adolescent's welfare, elevate concerns where care planning may breach an adolescent's human rights, and refer matters to CAFCASS where appropriate.
Essential Requirements:- Qualified Social Worker (QSW).
- Minimum 5 years post-qualifying experience (PQE).
- Evidence of ongoing managerial and/or professional development.
- Strong experience of chairing complex meetings, managing and assessing complex cases, providing social work supervision, and working within multi-agency settings.
- In-depth knowledge of CLA legislation, regulations and best practice.
Why Apply via Guidant Global? Established and trusted partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, dedicated consultant support, and access to high-quality, long-term local authority opportunities.
IRO Independent Reviewing Officer in Watford employer: Guidant Global
Contact Detail:
Guidant Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IRO Independent Reviewing Officer in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with Looked After Children. 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 CLA legislation and best practices. We recommend practising common interview questions related to safeguarding and care planning to show you're the right fit for the IRO role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’ve got your back with dedicated support and access to great opportunities at Hertfordshire County Council. Let’s get you that IRO role!
We think you need these skills to ace IRO Independent Reviewing Officer in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a Qualified Social Worker. Focus on your skills in chairing meetings and working with Looked After Children, as these are key for the IRO role.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; give examples of your post-qualifying experience. Mention specific cases where you’ve successfully managed complex situations or improved care planning for children.
Highlight Your Collaborative Skills: Since this role involves working with multi-agency partners, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively. Share instances where you’ve worked alongside other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Guidant Global
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest CLA legislation and regulations before your interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the role, but that you’re also passionate about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Looked After Children.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've chaired complex meetings or managed challenging cases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working with multi-agency partners, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve worked with independent advocates or participated in team meetings, as this will demonstrate your ability to work effectively within a team.
✨Prepare Questions
Don’t forget to prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how they measure success in the role. It shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the position is the right fit for you.
