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- Tasks: Oversee and quality assure care plans for children, ensuring effective multi-agency collaboration.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact on children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advocating for their needs and rights.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered social worker with substantial experience in statutory child care.
- Other info: Travel within the UK may be required, including some overnight stays.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Children & Families Service Quality Team provide support, scrutiny and oversight for our children on Child Protection Plans and the Children we Care for. The Service consists of Child Protection Advisors, Independent Reviewing Officers and Independent Visitors.
The Independent Reviewing Officer is a key role in quality assuring the care planning process and interventions for children. The role offers independent oversight and monitoring of children and young people's plans and interventions, to ensure there is high quality, timely and effective multi-agency work being undertaken that will address need and achieve positive outcomes. The IRO should be confident to provide constructive professional feedback to promote good practice and to ensure that children's care plans are progressed with pace. They adhere to the guidance outlined in the IRO Handbook. There is a requirement that children are consulted prior to their review. Children are encouraged to participate fully and even chair their review where possible. The IRO has an essential role in advocating for children and young people, escalating concerns and challenging on their behalf. They use restorative practice to work in a positive way with children, families and carers to ensure that they are able to fully contribute to the development of the Care Planning.
The ideal candidate will need to have/be:
- A registered social worker and have substantial post qualifying experience of statutory child care social work - this should include some management experience.
- Previous IRO experience would be advantageous.
- The skills and ability to develop relationships with children and young people and promote their engagement and participation in their meetings.
- Be able to identify, challenge and escalate issues that hinder the progression of children's plans.
- Experienced in chairing multi-agency meetings that are inclusive of children, young people and family members and are managed effectively.
- Able to write concise and good quality reports in a timely manner, edit minutes and record decisions on the electronic recording system.
- Relevant training and development opportunities will be available.
- Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills as you will be planning, organising, and managing your workload in a busy, complex environment with specific deadlines and requirements.
- Be flexible in your hours of work and available to travel within the City and further afield, as there will be some travel to locations throughout the UK for reviews. Some overnight stays may be required for this.
- Full driving licence will be required.
Please see the Job profile for the full details and expectations of this role.
If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please call Jenny Brennan, Service Leader for SQT, on 02392 606432.
Application process: We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. As part of your application we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
About Portsmouth City Council: Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800.
Independent Reviewing Officer employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the IRO Handbook and the specific guidelines it outlines. Understanding these guidelines will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and its responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Independent Reviewing Officers to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the role and may even lead to a referral or recommendation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in chairing multi-agency meetings. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged children and families in these settings, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your organisational skills by discussing how you manage your workload in busy environments. Highlight any tools or methods you use to prioritise tasks effectively, as this will be crucial for the Independent Reviewing Officer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Independent Reviewing Officer position. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the role, such as quality assurance in care planning and advocating for children.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement is crucial. Address each point outlined in the job profile, using specific examples from your experience that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Highlight your skills in relationship building, report writing, and multi-agency collaboration.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Emphasise your post-qualifying experience in statutory child care social work, particularly any management or IRO experience. Use clear, concise language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and professional, as this reflects your attention to detail and communication skills, which are vital for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your substantial post-qualifying experience in statutory child care social work. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed cases or provided oversight, as this will demonstrate your capability for the Independent Reviewing Officer role.
✨Engage with the Role's Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the IRO Handbook and be ready to discuss how you would ensure high-quality, timely multi-agency work. Think of scenarios where you've had to advocate for children and how you approached those situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since writing sensitive letters to children is part of the job, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might be asked to provide examples of how you've communicated effectively with children and families in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to identify and escalate issues hindering children's plans. Prepare by thinking of past experiences where you faced challenges and how you resolved them, particularly in multi-agency settings.
