At a Glance
- Tasks: Chair statutory reviews and advocate for children in the care system.
- Company: Join Durham County Council's Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service.
- Benefits: Earn £35.45 per hour with flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and shape positive outcomes.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and extensive experience.
The predicted salary is between 35.45 - 35.45 £ per hour.
Location: Durham, County Durham
Authority: Durham County Council (Children & Young People's Services)
Pay Rate: £35.45 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: Full-Time Locum Assignment
Working Pattern: Hybrid / Flexible working arrangements
Durham County Council is recruiting a skilled Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Conference Chair to join their Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service. This pivotal role is responsible for independent oversight, chairing statutory reviews, and providing constructive challenge across Children & Young People's Services.
Key Responsibilities:
- Independent Chairing: Act as an independent Chairperson for Looked After Children (LAC/CLA) Reviews, Child Protection Conferences, Foster Carer Reviews, Private Fostering Reviews, Secure Accommodation Reviews, and complex disruption/planning meetings.
- Child Advocacy: Engage directly with children, young people, and their families to ensure the child's views, wishes, and feelings directly shape all local authority decision-making.
- Permanency & Care Planning: Implement robust systems to ensure every child within the Looked After system has an appropriate, timely Permanency Plan in place.
- Constructive Challenge & Advice: Work constructively alongside senior managers and frontline teams, offering specialist legislative advice, a critical perspective, and appropriate professional challenge.
- Quality Assurance & Audit: Develop quality assurance mechanisms, participate in service audits, and monitor compliance with Care Planning Regulations, LSCB procedures, and DfE requirements.
- Multi-Agency Leadership: Play an active role in Safeguarding Board processes, building effective multi-agency partnerships across health, education, and partner services.
What We Are Looking For:
- Qualifications & Registration: Recognised Social Work qualification and active registration with Social Work England (SWE).
- Extensive Experience: Significant post-qualifying social work experience in statutory Children's Social Care, including prior IRO, CP Chair, or Senior Management experience.
- Legislative Mastery: Deep, working knowledge of Care Planning Regulations, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Fostering Regulations, Adoption Agencies Regulations, and Public Law Outline (PLO) care proceedings.
- Communication & Assurance: Outstanding communication skills with the ability to build rapport with children while maintaining rigorous quality control across teams.
Why Apply?
- Competitive Rate: £35.45 per hour.
- High-Impact Role: Play a central, independent role in shaping positive outcomes and practice improvement across County Durham.
- Hybrid Flexibility: Modern blended working model combining remote practice with essential on-site chairing commitments.
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in Durham employer: Randstad Care Careers
Randstad offers a unique opportunity for care home workers to thrive in the stunning Scottish Islands, where you can enjoy a fulfilling career while surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, we provide our team with the chance to make a meaningful impact in small communities, all while enjoying the benefits of flexible hours and a rewarding lifestyle. Join us to experience the perfect blend of professional development and personal adventure in one of the UK's most beautiful regions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in Durham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Randstad Care Careers.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Randstad Care Careers!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Randstad Care Careers, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Randstad Care Careers or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Chair in Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Randstad Care Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Randstad Care Careers! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad Care Careers
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
