Job Description: Independent Reviewing Officer and Child Protection Chair
We are seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) and Child Protection Chair with a minimum of two years' prior experience in this position. This is a county-wide role that involves travel throughout Staffordshire. The role combines chairing Child Protection Conferences with chairing Child in Care reviews, ensuring children's needs are met, voices are heard, and statutory obligations fulfilled.
About Staffordshire County Council
Our Vision – A county where big ambitions, great connections and greener living give everyone the opportunity to prosper, be healthy and happy.
Our Outcomes – Everyone in Staffordshire will:
· Have access to more good jobs and share the benefit of economic growth.
· Be healthier and more independent for longer.
· Feel safer, happier and more supported in their community.
Our Values – The Council is guided by three core values:
· Ambitious – We are ambitious for our communities and citizens.
· Courageous – We recognise our challenges and are prepared to make courageous decisions.
· Empowering – We empower and support our people by giving them the opportunity to do their jobs well.
Key Responsibilities
· Chair and provide professional advice at Child Protection Conferences and statutory reviews for looked after children in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
· Oversee and scrutinise care plans to ensure they are robust, timely and child-centred.
· Undertake visits to children, act as a first point of contact, and advocate for their rights and best interests.
· Ensure local authorities fulfil their statutory obligations and escalate concerns when necessary, including to the Director of Children's Services or Cafcass.
· Act as a consistent and trusted point of support in a child's life, ensuring their voices are central to planning and review.
· Chair meetings in a child-friendly manner, promoting meaningful participation by children and families.
· Manage relationships between children, families, social workers, placement providers, Cafcass and other partner agencies.
· Contribute to quality assurance by monitoring standards of practice and evaluating the effectiveness of care planning.
· Provide professional guidance and support to social workers, families, and external partners on safeguarding and review processes.
· Drive early permanency for children by providing oversight and challenge where care plans are drifting.
· Promote restorative practice, partnership working, and embed feedback from children and families into service improvements.
· Contribute to safeguarding board work, including training delivery and participation in rapid reviews where necessary.
· Assist with the induction and training of staff within the Safeguarding and Review service.
· Ensure children's education, health and care needs are fully considered by scrutinising EHCPs, PEPs and Health Assessments and escalating concerns.
· Promote equalities, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
Person Specification
· Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration.
· Significant post-qualification experience, with at least two years as an Independent Reviewing Officer or Child Protection Chair.
· Substantial knowledge of the Children Act, statutory guidance, safeguarding frameworks and care planning regulations.
· Proven experience chairing multi-agency meetings and managing complex family dynamics.
· Strong ability to challenge, escalate and influence at all levels in the best interests of children.
· Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to engage children and families effectively.
· Experience supervising or supporting other social work professionals.
· Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance techniques.
· Understanding of current practice issues relating to looked after children, child protection and permanence planning.
· Proficient in IT systems for recording and maintaining case information.
· Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding and anti-discriminatory practice.
· Ability to travel county-wide across Staffordshire.
Professional Accountabilities
· Financial Management – Delivering services efficiently, effectively, within budget and achieving value for money.
· People Management – Engaging with people management policies and supporting the development of colleagues.
· Equalities – Committed to equality and anti-discriminatory practice, meeting legislative standards.
· Climate Change – Supporting the Council's climate change strategy and energy conservation practices.
· Health and Safety – Promoting welfare and ensuring safe working practices in line with policy.
· Safeguarding – Demonstrating commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Holder of professional qualification in social work
• Successful completion of post-qualifying training and CPD
• HCPC Registration
This role is central to ensuring children's safety, well-being, and positive outcomes in Staffordshire. The successful candidate will combine professional expertise with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temp to perm
Pay: £28.00-£29.00 per hour
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person