Overview
The Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) / Independent Child Protection Chair (ICC) will be responsible for ensuring that every child or young person in care has a robust, timely, and effective care plan that reflects their individual needs, rights, and aspirations. The role also involves leading and chairing Child Protection Conferences to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The postholder will act as a key advocate for children, ensuring their voices are heard and that statutory responsibilities are met in accordance with the IRO Handbook (2010), the Children Act 1989, and other relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
Key Responsibilities
* Quality Assurance of Care Planning
o Ensure that every child or young person has a comprehensive and effective care plan that meets their assessed needs and promotes positive outcomes.
o Monitor the quality and effectiveness of care planning, intervening where necessary to prevent drift and delay.
o Provide professional oversight and challenge to ensure statutory timescales and requirements are consistently met.
* Advocacy for the Child
o Ensure that the wishes and feelings of each child or young person are fully considered in all planning and decision-making processes.
o Promote the child’s voice as central to care planning, reviews, and statutory meetings.
o Advocate on behalf of the child where their views or needs are not being adequately addressed.
* Reviewing and Monitoring
o Chair statutory Looked-After Children (LAC) Reviews in line with legislative requirements.
o Monitor the local authority’s effectiveness in implementing care plans, holding professionals accountable for agreed actions and outcomes.
o Ensure timely follow-up and resolution of issues arising from reviews.
* Escalation and Challenge
o Escalate concerns when statutory expectations or standards of practice are not met.
o Challenge decisions and delays to ensure the child’s welfare remains paramount.
o Maintain oversight of escalation processes and outcomes to improve service quality.
* Statutory Compliance
o Operate in full accordance with the IRO Handbook (2010), Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), and all relevant local and national guidance.
o Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records of all reviews and decisions.
Core Duties of the Independent Child Protection Chair
* Chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences, ensuring that all agency views are heard and decisions are made in the best interests of the child.
* Make the final decision on whether a child should be subject to a Child Protection Plan.
* Apply restorative practice principles to promote effective communication and collaboration among professionals and families.
* Oversee the implementation of child protection plans and ensure timely progress between conferences.
* Monitor and challenge practice to prevent drift and delay in safeguarding interventions.
Qualifications and Professional Membership
* Qualified Social Worker (e.g., DipSW, CQSW, BA or MA in Social Work).
* HCPC / Social Work England Registration (or equivalent).
* Evidence of post-qualifying training and ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Knowledge and Experience
* Significant post-qualification experience in work with children and families, with at least 3 years in a statutory child care setting.
* Proven experience in safeguarding, care planning, and reviewing within children’s services.
* Experience of supervising or supporting social work staff.
* In-depth knowledge of the Children Act 1989, IRO Handbook (2010), and associated legislation and statutory guidance.
* Experience of chairing multi-disciplinary meetings and managing complex cases.
* Strong understanding of Looked-After Children (LAC) systems and child protection processes.
* Critical awareness of current practice issues, regulations, and guidance relating to:
o Child Protection
o Looked-After Children
* Knowledge of monitoring and quality assurance frameworks within children’s services.
Skills and Competencies
* Excellent chairing and facilitation skills in formal multi-agency settings.
* Strong decision-making and analytical abilities.
* High level of interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to provide consultation, advice, and challenge to social work and partner agency staff.
* Strong commitment to anti-discriminatory practice, equality, and inclusion.
* Proven ability to manage complex caseloads and work independently while maintaining professional standards.
* Demonstrated ability to promote reflective practice and continuous improvement.
Personal Attributes
* Child-focused and passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.
* Confident and assertive, able to challenge practice constructively.
* Emotionally resilient and adaptable to changing demands.
* Commitment to maintaining professional integrity and confidentiality.
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