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- Tasks: Lead Child Protection Conferences and ensure top-notch safeguarding for children and young people.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving lives through child protection and social care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Passionate environment with opportunities for growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Be a key player in safeguarding children and shaping their futures positively.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's social care and safeguarding.
We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated and child-focused Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) / Child Protection Officer (CPO) to join our safeguarding and quality assurance service.
In this vital role, you will confidently and independently chair Child Protection Conferences, Strategy Meetings, Looked After Children Reviews and Secure Accommodation Reviews, ensuring that all statutory responsibilities are consistently met to the highest standard. You will play a key role in safeguarding children and young people by ensuring robust care planning, effective multi-agency working and strong oversight of child protection processes. This includes the efficient production and review of Child Protection Plans, co-ordinating investigations, quality assuring practice and auditing plans to ensure risks are minimised and best practice is achieved.
As an experienced IRO/CPO, you will bring a strong background in children’s social care, with specialist knowledge of child protection procedures, legislation and practice. You will have a proven track record in care planning and decision-making and will ideally have experience working at Team Manager level or above. You will be skilled in building and maintaining positive professional relationships across partner agencies through effective communication, collaboration and engagement. You will also be confident in providing constructive challenge where required, ensuring plans progress effectively and creatively to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
The successful candidate will be able to provide clear, balanced and child-centred decision-making, ensuring that the voice of the child is heard, understood and remains central to all planning and review processes. We are looking for someone with passion, resilience and commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families, helping to make a lasting and positive difference to their lives and future opportunities.
Essential Requirements- Qualified Social Worker with current registration with Social Work England
- Significant experience within children’s social care and safeguarding services
- Extensive knowledge of child protection legislation, policy and statutory guidance
- Experience of chairing complex multi-agency meetings and reviews
- Strong analytical, communication and decision-making skills
- Ability to challenge appropriately and drive effective care planning
This post is subject to:
- An Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Satisfactory references and pre-employment checks
- Continued registration with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker
IRO employer: We Do Social Work
Contact Detail:
We Do Social Work Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IRO
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the social care field and let them know you're on the lookout for IRO/CPO roles. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of child protection legislation and best practices. We recommend role-playing common interview questions with a friend to build your confidence and ensure you can articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for safeguarding children during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, and don’t forget to highlight your ability to work collaboratively with multi-agency teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job! We’re always looking for dedicated professionals like you, so make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to reflect your commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace IRO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the IRO/CPO role. We want to see how your background in children's social care aligns with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for safeguarding children and improving their outcomes shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely committed to making a positive difference, so share your motivations and experiences that reflect this passion.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out and are easy to read. This will help us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at We Do Social Work
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest child protection legislation and statutory guidance. Being able to reference specific policies during your interview will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about safeguarding children.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in chairing multi-agency meetings and how you've navigated complex situations. Use specific examples to illustrate your decision-making skills and how you’ve effectively driven care planning in the past.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Be ready to explain how you build relationships with partner agencies and how you handle constructive challenges. Practise articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as this will be crucial in your role as an IRO/CPO.
✨Emphasise Child-Centred Decision Making
Highlight your commitment to ensuring the voice of the child is central to all planning processes. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully incorporated children's perspectives into care plans and reviews, showcasing your dedication to improving outcomes for young people.