At a Glance
- Tasks: Promote high-quality care and outcomes for children in foster care through independent oversight.
- Company: Join Lewisham, a vibrant community committed to social work reform and support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with opportunities for growth and impact.
- Why this job: Be a key player in improving lives and fostering positive change for children.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in children's social work required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants. It’s an exciting time to join us - Lewisham is a wave 2 Pathfinder authority and is leading the way on national reforms to social work practice through the Families First for Children programme.
We are seeking an experienced and skilled Independent Reviewing Officer to join our Fostering and Kinship Service. This pivotal role is focused on promoting high‑quality practice, robust care planning, and positive outcomes for children looked after, particularly those placed in foster care. You will bring independence, professional curiosity and confidence to support and challenge practice across the Fostering and Kinship Service. The Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) will play a key role in ensuring high‑quality, 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 across the fostering service.
Specifically, the role will:
- Ensure the Council meets its statutory duties and follows good practice guidance in relation to the monitoring, review and development of Lewisham’s registered foster carers through robust and timely foster carer annual reviews.
- Promote the safety, welfare and best outcomes of Lewisham’s looked after children by ensuring they are cared for in safe, nurturing and well‑regulated foster homes that deliver high‑quality care and demonstrate positive outcomes.
- Ensure that foster carers are actively involved in and central to their annual review, enabling their voices to be heard and their feedback to meaningfully inform service development and improvement.
- Contribute to the strategic and operational development of Lewisham’s Fostering Service, using learning from reviews, quality assurance activity and professional oversight to drive best practice.
- Work collaboratively as part of the wider Independent Reviewing Service to support strategic planning, quality assurance and improved outcomes for looked after children and care leavers.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced and confident social work professional who can bring independence, insight and challenge to fostering practice. You’ll need to have:
- Significant post‑qualifying experience in children’s social work, particularly with children who are looked after and 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.
Key Responsibilities
- To chair foster carer annual reviews in accordance with the Children Act 1989, Fostering Regulations 2011, Care Act 2000 and the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards.
- To provide high quality written review reports which are clear, concise and follow an agreed format.
- Agree and implement an action plan with the social workers and foster carers and make recommendations to the agency decision maker regarding the carer(s) suitability to foster.
- To ensure that children and young people are safeguarded and that foster carers operate in line with statutory requirements and adhere to child protection processes.
- To develop positive relationships with social work managers and social work teams in order to promote and implement the review process.
- To develop positive relationships with the Leaving Care service in relation to foster carers offering Staying Put in order to promote and implement the review process.
- To contribute to the Fostering Panel Business meetings and any IRO partnership work on issues linked to the foster carer reviewing process.
- To maintain accurate and timely data on all aspects of the reviewing process and provide written reports as required.
- To apply a Quality Assurance system to ensure the Fostering National Minimum are being adhered to and that any issues arising from foster carer reviews are addressed with management in a timely manner.
- To make suggestions for change to practice and contribute to policies and procedures in order to maintain high standards to the care given to our Looked After Children living with Lewisham foster carers.
Qualifications
- A recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW, Social Work Degree or equivalent).
- Registration with Social Work England.
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
Independent Reviewing Officer (Fostering) employer: Lewisham Youth Service
Join Lewisham Council as an Independent Reviewing Officer and be part of a dedicated team making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families within our vibrant, culturally diverse community. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to influence positive outcomes for looked after children while contributing to innovative social work practices. Embrace the chance to grow your career in a Borough of Sanctuary, recognised for its dedication to championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer (Fostering)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with fostering. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Lewisham's Fostering and Kinship Service. Understand their values and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your experience in children's social work and how it aligns with the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer. Confidence is key!
✨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 (Fostering)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Independent Reviewing Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in social work and fostering practice can make a difference. Share specific examples that reflect your ability to promote high-quality care and positive outcomes for children.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We want to see your communication skills shine through, especially since you'll be writing reports and chairing meetings.
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 there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lewisham Youth Service
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and statutory guidance related to fostering and safeguarding. Being able to reference specific laws during your interview will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your significant post-qualifying experience in children's social work. Think of specific examples where you've overseen or quality assured social work practice, and be ready to explain how you identified strengths and areas for improvement.
✨Demonstrate Professional Curiosity
During the interview, express your professional curiosity and confidence. Share instances where you’ve challenged practices or escalated concerns effectively. This will highlight your ability to maintain professional independence while ensuring the best outcomes for children.
✨Engage with the Team Dynamics
Fostering is all about collaboration. Be prepared to discuss how you would build constructive relationships with social work managers and teams. Show that you understand the importance of teamwork in promoting and implementing the review process.
