Overview
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities. We are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary for championing the rights of refugees and migrants. Lewisham is a wave 2 Pathfinder authority, leading national reforms to social work practice through the Families First for Children programme.
Introduction
We are seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join our Fostering and Kinship Service. The role focuses on promoting high-quality practice, robust care planning, and positive outcomes for children looked after, particularly those in foster care.
You will bring independence, professional curiosity and confidence to support and challenge practice across the Fostering and Kinship Service, ensuring safe and effective fostering provision for Lewisham’s looked after children and young people. The postholder will provide independent oversight, professional challenge and quality assurance through the foster carer annual review process, contributing to continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure the Council meets its statutory duties and follows good practice guidance in monitoring, reviewing and developing Lewisham’s registered foster carers through robust and timely foster carer annual reviews.
- Promote the safety, welfare and best outcomes of looked after children by ensuring they are cared for in safe, nurturing, well-regulated foster homes that deliver high-quality care and demonstrate positive outcomes.
- Ensure foster carers are actively involved in and central to their annual review, enabling their voices to be heard and feedback to inform service development.
- Contribute to the strategic and operational development of the Fostering Service, using learning from reviews and quality assurance to drive best practice.
- Work collaboratively with the Independent Reviewing Service to support strategic planning, quality assurance and improved outcomes for looked after children and care leavers.
- Chair foster carer annual reviews in accordance with the Children Act 1989, Fostering Regulations 2011, Care Act 2000 and National Minimum Standards.
- Provide high-quality written review reports that are clear, concise and follow an agreed format.
- Agree and implement action plans with social workers and foster carers, making recommendations to the agency decision maker regarding carer suitability.
- Ensure children and young people are safeguarded and that foster carers operate in line with statutory requirements and child protection processes.
- Develop positive relationships with social work managers, social work teams and the Leaving Care service to promote and implement the review process.
- Contribute to Fostering Panel business meetings and any IRO partnership work on issues linked to foster carer reviewing.
- Maintain accurate and timely data on all aspects of the reviewing process and provide written reports as required.
- Apply a Quality Assurance system to ensure National Minimum Standards are adhered to and that any issues arising are addressed with management in a timely manner.
- Make suggestions for change to practice and contribute to policies and procedures to maintain high standards for the care of looked after children living with Lewisham foster carers.
About You
- Significant post-qualifying experience in children’s social work, particularly with looked after children and those placed in foster care.
- Strong knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and best practice relating to safeguarding, fostering and permanence.
- Experience of overseeing, supervising or quality assuring social work practice, with the ability to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Confidence working in complex, multi-agency settings, building constructive relationships while maintaining professional independence.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to write clear, high-quality reports and confidently chair review meetings.
- Sound professional judgement, with a proven ability to assess and manage risk and make defensible decisions.
- Confidence to provide professional challenge, including escalating concerns when children’s plans or outcomes are not progressing effectively.
Qualifications
- A recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW, Social Work Degree or equivalent).
- Registration with Social Work England.
Benefits & Working Conditions
- Be part of a supportive and passionate team.
- Make a real impact in the lives of children, families and foster and kinship carers.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- Flexible working arrangements available.
Location
The job is primarily based in Laurence House in Catford SE6. There are two local train stations 3-5 minutes’ walk from the office, and the journey from London Bridge is approximately 15 minutes. Numerous bus routes also stop by the office. Work is required in a hybrid model, both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Inclusion Statement
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications from all abilities. Reasonable adjustments will be made during the application and interview process. We support the Access to Work scheme.
Salary
£56,436 – £58,551 (SWLO/SCP 41-43)
Application Process
Applications are processed anonymously; CVs are not accepted. Applicants should read the applicant handbook and provide a supporting statement covering how they meet each person specification criterion. For an informal discussion, contact pathfinder@lewisham.gov.uk.
