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- Tasks: Lead reviews for children in care, ensuring their voices shape decisions.
- Company: Join Gateshead Council's dedicated Children's Social Care team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible payment options, training budgets, and referral bonuses.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on child welfare and impactful social work.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with experience in child protection.
- Other info: Full UK driving licence required; remote work options may be available.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Gateshead Council is seeking an experienced, committed, and passionate Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) / Conference Chair to join our Children’s Social Care team. This vital role supports our mission to achieve the best outcomes for children in our care and those in need of protection.
You will work at the heart of our service, providing independent oversight and challenge to ensure children’s voices are heard, their plans are robust, and their safety and wellbeing are prioritised.
Responsibilities- Chair statutory reviews for children in our care, ensuring plans are child-centred, outcome-focused, and in line with the IRO Handbook and legislative requirements.
- Form positive relationships with children to ensure their views inform decision-making.
- Oversee and scrutinise care planning from the point of entry into care, promoting stability and permanence.
- Act as a Conference Chair for Child Protection Conferences, ensuring plans to protect children are realistic, timely, and effective.
- Hold partner agencies to account in their corporate parenting and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Provide robust challenge where needed and evidence the impact of your interventions.
- Maintain clear, comprehensive, and analytical records using council IT systems.
- Contribute to the wider development and high standards of social work practice, promoting relational and trauma-informed approaches.
- Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.
- Extensive post-qualifying experience in children’s services, particularly child protection and children in care.
- In-depth understanding of relevant legislation, statutory frameworks, and current practice models.
- Confident chairing complex meetings and overseeing multi-agency plans.
- Skilled in risk analysis, safeguarding, and quality assurance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently with calm authority and resilience.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
If you are interested, please call Chris Richardson or email your CV.
If this role isn’t right for you, but you know someone who would fit perfectly to our engaged and devoted team and you refer them, you will receive a referral bonus of £350.
The benefits of working with SCS:- A specialist dedicated Social Work consultant offering single point of contact.
- Exceptional referral bonuses - £350 per referral placed in to work!
- An extensive & exclusive range of Social Work vacancies across the UK.
- Nationwide provider Social Work staff to over 200 local authorities.
- Payroll service twice a week.
- Ltd and PAYE payment options available.
- Annual training budget of up to £250 and continued online CPD training.
- Excellent Annual Loyalty schemes / bonuses.
- DBS disclosures provided via fast-track online services free of charge.
Independent Review Officer IRO employer: Service Care Solutions - Social Work
Contact Detail:
Service Care Solutions - Social Work Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Review Officer IRO
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the IRO Handbook and relevant legislation. Understanding these documents will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and its responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in children's social care. Attend local events or join online forums where you can connect with current IROs or social workers, as they can provide insights and potentially refer you for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in chairing complex meetings. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've effectively managed multi-agency plans and ensured child-centred outcomes in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to build relationships with children and families. Think of ways to illustrate how you've successfully engaged with children in the past, as this is a crucial aspect of the IRO role.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Review Officer IRO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Independent Reviewing Officer position. Familiarise yourself with the IRO Handbook and relevant legislation to demonstrate your knowledge in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight your experience in children's services, particularly in child protection and care planning. Emphasise your skills in chairing meetings and your understanding of safeguarding practices to align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting children and your commitment to achieving positive outcomes. Use specific examples from your experience to illustrate how you meet the qualifications and can contribute to the team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions - Social Work
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of an Independent Reviewing Officer. Familiarise yourself with the IRO Handbook and relevant legislation to demonstrate your knowledge during the discussion.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves chairing complex meetings and working with children and partner agencies, it's crucial to highlight your excellent verbal and written communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Child-Centred Approach
Be ready to discuss how you prioritise children's voices in decision-making. Share specific instances where you've successfully engaged with children to ensure their views were heard and incorporated into care plans.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-life scenarios related to child protection and safeguarding. Think about past experiences where you've had to provide robust challenge or oversee multi-agency plans, and be prepared to discuss the outcomes.
