Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair Location: Hackney (Hybrid) Rate: £45.20ph Umbrella Hours: Full-time, 36 hours per week Start Date: ASAP About the Role We are currently seeking an experienced and authoritative Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair to join the Children Services Safeguarding & Quality Assurance team. This is a key statutory role, responsible for independently chairing Child Protection Conferences, Looked After Children Reviews, and Foster Carer Annual Reviews, ensuring that children's voices, lived experiences, and best interests remain central to all decision-making. You will provide robust professional challenge, quality assurance, and scrutiny of care planning, holding the Local Authority and partner agencies to account to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people. Key Responsibilities Chair multi‑agency Child Protection Conferences, LAC Reviews, and Foster Carer Annual Reviews Make clear, defensible threshold decisions in relation to risk and significant harm Ensure high‑quality, timely care planning and statutory compliance Champion children's voices and lived experiences in all forums Provide independent professional challenge and escalate concerns where required, including to senior leadership and CAFCASS Quality assure social work practice and contribute to service improvement Promote and role‑model sy...