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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion the rights of Looked After Children by leading their care reviews.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and substantial experience in children's social care.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence positive change and grow your career.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to champion the rights and well-being of our Looked After Children (LAC) and young people. This is a critical role focused on ensuring that care planning is robust, child-centred, and progressing effectively toward achieving permanence.
As an IRO, you won't hold a caseload, but you will hold the process to account. You'll chair statutory reviews for children in care, ensuring that their voice is heard, their care plan is fit for purpose, and that all involved professionals are working collaboratively to meet their needs.
Key Responsibilities
Chair Statutory Reviews: Lead and record high-quality, legally compliant, and child-focused Looked After Child Reviews (LAC Reviews).
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Champion the Child: Ensure the child or young person's views, wishes, and feelings are central to the planning process and actively promoted.
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Quality Assurance: Scrutinise the local authority's care planning, identifying areas of delay, challenge inadequate practice, and escalate issues where necessary to achieve the best outcomes for the child.
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Case Oversight: Maintain continuous oversight of a cohort of LAC cases, providing clear direction and setting measurable outcomes for the care plan.
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Legal Expertise: Ensure all statutory requirements and legal frameworks are met, including the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and the IRO Handbook (2010).
What You'll BringEssential Requirements:
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Social Work Qualification: A recognised professional Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW).
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Registration: Current, valid registration with Social Work England.
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Experience: Substantial post-qualifying experience (typically 5+ years) in children's social care, with significant experience in Looked After Children services.
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Statutory Knowledge: Expert knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, and best practice relating to LAC and safeguarding.
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Skills: Exceptional analytical, communication, and chairing skills, with the confidence to professionally challenge decision-making at all levels.
How to Apply: Please call Lara Wilson on
Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.
Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.
Social Worker IRO employer: Randstad Care
Contact Detail:
Randstad Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker IRO
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work and let them know you're on the hunt for an IRO role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of relevant legislation and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you would champion the rights of Looked After Children and ensure their voices are heard during reviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! During interviews, highlight your exceptional analytical and communication skills. Share examples of how you've successfully challenged decisions and improved care planning in your previous roles.
✨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 passionate candidates who are eager to make a difference in the lives of children and young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker IRO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer. We want to see how you can champion the rights of Looked After Children!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t hold back on sharing your substantial post-qualifying experience in children's social care. We’re looking for someone with a solid background, so let us know about your relevant roles and achievements.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and motivations for applying.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad Care
✨Know Your Legislation
Brush up on the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and the IRO Handbook. Being well-versed in these legal frameworks will show your expertise and confidence during the interview.
✨Champion the Child's Voice
Prepare examples of how you've previously ensured that children's views and feelings are central to care planning. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and your understanding of its importance.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've identified areas of delay or challenged inadequate practices. Highlighting your analytical abilities will reassure the interviewers of your capability to maintain oversight effectively.
✨Practice Chairing Scenarios
Since you'll be chairing statutory reviews, consider role-playing this aspect with a friend. Practising how to lead discussions and manage different stakeholders will help you feel more prepared and confident during the actual interview.
