At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child-focused reviews and ensure high-quality care planning for vulnerable children.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hackney, a forward-thinking authority dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on anti-racist and trauma-informed practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while promoting equality and safeguarding.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, 5+ years experience, and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
The London Borough of Hackney is recruiting for an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) within their Children’s Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Service. This is a key role where you will act as an independent, authoritative professional, ensuring that children’s voices are central and that care planning prioritises their safety, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes.
About the role
- Chair Looked After Child Reviews and Foster Carer Annual Reviews, ensuring all meetings are child-centred and effective.
- Hold the Local Authority to account, ensuring high-quality care planning and decision-making for children.
- Provide independent scrutiny of safeguarding practice, challenging where necessary to drive improvement.
- Monitor care and permanence plans, ensuring timely progression and positive outcomes.
- Escalate concerns appropriately, including to senior leadership and external bodies where required.
- Promote systemic, trauma-informed, and anti-racist practice across services.
- Work closely with multi-agency partners to ensure coordinated and effective support for children and families.
What we’re looking for
- A recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- At least 5 years post-qualifying experience, including management-level experience.
- Strong experience within Looked After Children and statutory review processes.
- In-depth knowledge of key legislation including the Children Act 1989 and IRO statutory guidance.
- Proven ability to challenge practice and influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent report writing, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Strong commitment to safeguarding and equality is essential.
Why join Hackney?
- Work within a forward-thinking, values-driven service committed to improving outcomes for children.
- Be part of an authority championing anti-racist and trauma-informed practice.
- Opportunity to influence service development and quality assurance across Children’s Services.
- Collaborative, multi-agency working environment.
Independent Reviewing Officer for Children's Services. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
The London Borough of Hackney is an exceptional employer for those passionate about children's services, offering a collaborative and values-driven work culture that prioritises the voices and wellbeing of children. With a strong commitment to anti-racist and trauma-informed practices, employees have the opportunity to influence service development and ensure high-quality care planning. Additionally, Hackney provides a supportive environment for professional growth, making it an ideal place for experienced Independent Reviewing Officers to thrive in their careers.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer for Children's Services. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in children's services on LinkedIn or at local events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that Independent Reviewing Officer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and IRO statutory guidance. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence and ensure you can articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for safeguarding and equality during interviews. We want to see how you can bring your values into practice, so share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for dedicated professionals who are ready to make a difference in children’s lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer for Children's Services. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Looked After Children and statutory review processes. We want to see how your skills align with the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your report writing, analytical, and decision-making skills. We’re looking for someone who can challenge practices effectively, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Child-Centred:Since this role is all about putting children’s voices at the forefront, make sure to include any relevant experiences where you’ve prioritised children's wellbeing and safety in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on key legislation like the Children Act 1989 and IRO statutory guidance. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules, but that you understand how they impact your role as an Independent Reviewing Officer.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience with Looked After Children and statutory review processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your management-level experience effectively.
✨Emphasise Child-Centred Practice
Since this role is all about ensuring children's voices are central, be ready to discuss how you've prioritised child-centred approaches in your previous roles. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to safeguarding and how you’ve influenced positive outcomes for children.
✨Prepare for Challenging Conversations
As an IRO, you’ll need to hold the Local Authority accountable. Think about times when you’ve had to challenge practices or decisions. Be prepared to discuss how you approached these situations and what the outcomes were, showcasing your ability to influence senior stakeholders.
