At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection conferences and ensure children's voices are central to decision-making.
- Company: Bracknell Forest Borough Council, a progressive local authority focused on safeguarding.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape practice and improve outcomes for children in a vital safeguarding role.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in Child Protection and statutory reviewing.
Location: Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Time Square, RG12 1JD
Job Type: Temporary (Locum)
Start Date: Mon 29 June 2026
SW Locums are proud to be supporting Bracknell Forest Borough Council in the urgent recruitment of an experienced Child Protection Chair / Independent Reviewing Officer. This is a highly influential safeguarding role, offering the opportunity to shape practice, improve outcomes, and ensure the voice of the child is consistently central to all decision-making.
This is a role for a confident, skilled practitioner who can lead with authority, independence, and compassion—ensuring robust safeguarding oversight while driving continuous improvement across children’s services. Working within a progressive and supportive local authority, you will play a key role in strengthening practice standards, improving care planning quality, and ensuring statutory responsibilities are met to the highest level.
Key Responsibilities:
- Chair Child Protection Conferences, ensuring robust safeguarding oversight and adherence to statutory procedures
- Keep the voice, wishes, and lived experience of the child central to all discussions and planning
- Provide independent scrutiny of care planning arrangements in line with IRO statutory guidance
- Monitor progress of child protection and care plans, escalating drift or delay where identified
- Undertake quality assurance activity to support service improvement and learning across the workforce
- Contribute to multi-agency safeguarding effectiveness and best practice development
- Ensure high-quality, outcome-focused planning for children and young people
- Promote reflective practice and drive continuous improvement within Children’s Services
About You:
- Qualified Social Worker with substantial experience in Children’s Services
- Strong background in Child Protection, Safeguarding, and statutory reviewing roles
- Experience chairing conferences or working as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
- Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and safeguarding frameworks
- Confident communicator with the ability to challenge constructively at all levels
- Social Work England registration is essential
About SW Locums:
SW Locums is a trusted and established social work recruitment partner, known for working closely with highly skilled practitioners and respected local authorities across the UK. We pride ourselves on offering a professional, transparent, and supportive service to our candidates, ensuring the right match between social workers and teams where they can truly make an impact. Our consultants understand social work practice and are committed to providing ongoing support throughout every assignment.
Referral Scheme:
SW Locums offers a £500 referral bonus for every successful social work referral (Terms and Conditions apply).
This is an excellent opportunity to step into a senior safeguarding role where your expertise will directly influence the safety, wellbeing, and future outcomes of children and young people.
Child Protection Chair & IRO in Bracknell employer: SW Locums
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a progressive and supportive work environment for Child Protection Chairs and Independent Reviewing Officers. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children, employees benefit from a culture of collaboration, continuous professional development, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the heart of Bracknell, the council provides a unique chance to engage with diverse cases while enjoying a vibrant local area that supports work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Protection Chair & IRO in Bracknell
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to SW Locums, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Child Protection Chair & IRO in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of SW Locums. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at SW Locums. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at SW Locums
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with SW Locums.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Child Protection Chair & IRO role at SW Locums, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show SW Locums that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
