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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 5+ years of experience in complex case management.
- 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.
Safeguarding & Escalation
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, escalate 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 Hertford employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IRO Independent Reviewing Officer in Hertford
✨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 the role or even know someone at Hertfordshire County Council.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview 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
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past work chairing complex meetings and managing cases. This will demonstrate that you can handle the responsibilities of the IRO position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed, and we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that IRO gig.
We think you need these skills to ace IRO Independent Reviewing Officer in Hertford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience as a Qualified Social Worker. We want to see how your skills align with the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer, especially in relation to Looked After Children.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t hold back on detailing your post-qualifying experience! We’re looking for at least 5 years, so share specific examples of your work in multi-agency settings and any complex cases you've managed.
Highlight Your Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of CLA legislation and best practices. We want to know that you’re up-to-date with the latest regulations and can apply them effectively in your role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest CLA legislation and regulations. 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 answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working in multi-agency settings. Discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with various partners, advocates, and teams to ensure the best outcomes for children. This is crucial for the IRO role, so make it a key part of your conversation.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how they measure success in their reviews. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the position aligns with your values and working style.