Independent Reviewing Officer - Wandsworth

Social Personnel ,
London, Greater London
Salary: Up to £51,690 per annum

Overview

Job Description Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) – Wandsworth – Up to £51,690 – Full time OR Part time (4 days) available About the Role: What a child said about his Independent Reviewing Officer in Wandsworth? ‘’My IRO is funny, he cares about me, he wants the best for me and he listens” Does this sound like the kind of practitioner you are too? Are you passionate about children who are looked after achieving the best outcomes? Do you want to ensure that children’s voices are at the heart of plans and arrangements for their care? Do you want to help ensure children’s voices shape practice? If you are, we have the perfect role for you This is an exciting time to be joining Wandsworth. They are developing and introducing new ways of working together with families and with their professional partnerships. We are aiding the Council in seeking Independent Reviewing Officer (s) to join them in the Children’s Planning and Review Service, to work in fostering best practice, and driving permanence and stability for children. What does the team do? The Independent Reviewing team chair the reviews for children who are looked after and appoint an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) for every child in care. They advocate for our children and where indicated, provide challenge on their behalf. They review plans midway between reviews and keep in contact with children. They contribute to permeance planning, placement stability and other key meetings for children as well as advising colleagues. They provide challenge on behalf of children IRO additional responsibilities include acting as Independent Panel Members at secure accommodation reviews They promote and develop positive working relationships with Social Workers, the Virtual School, personal advisors, social workers, team managers, senior managers and other stakeholders including our designated leads for children who are looked after. They also maintain good links with CAFCASS children’s guardians. What will your role be? This is a key quality assurance role and you will be responsible for ensuring that planning for children is of a high standard. You will be able to listen to children and use your significant social work experience to ensure they are engaged and participating in their reviews. As an IRO you are crucial in empowering the children and young people to make their voices heard. As corporate parents they want all our children to have opportunities so they can thrive. You will be proactive in promoting their physical health, emotional well-being, education, identity and achieve permanence and support them to transition into successful, independent adults. Wandsworth will also want you to be involved in helping children to co-produce innovation and change, particularly through the Wandsworth children in care council ‘CLICK’. What you need: You will need to be a Qualified Social Worker with at least five years’ post qualifying experience, be registered with the HCPC and have the following experience and skills: · Excellent communication skills with children, young people, parents and carers. · A thorough working knowledge of the legal framework relating to children who are looked after including Children Act 1989, the Care Planning Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 and the duties and responsibilities of the IRO as set out in the IRO Handbook (2010) as well as adoption and fostering regulatory frameworks. · A clear understanding of the key issues and vulnerabilities for children who are looked after · Extensive statutory experience as a children’s Social Worker and preferably with management experience at Assistant Team Manager or above level; · Have the ability and experience to effectively challenge to ensure best outcomes for children, including effective escalation. · Effectively contribute to children’s meetings, training and provide quality assurance leadership. This job was originally posted as www.totaljobs.com/job/89611922