Independent Review Officer - Havering

This is a role for an Independent Reviewing Officer supporting with Children in Care Reviews.

Duties and Responsibilities

Chair Child Protection conferences, identify risk and decide upon the need for a child to be subject to child protection plan, to ensure effective decision making about thresholds for child protection and child in need plans

Chair and minute Statutory Reviews for Looked After Children within agreed timescales so a care plan and permanency plan for each child is implemented without drift or delay

Provide professional consultation, advice support and challenge to social work practitioners/ managers on critical child protection decisions, and on care planning for children in care (looked after per Children Act 1989)

Develop SMART Plans which are outcomes focussed for children in need / in need of protection and children in care

Monitor progress of planning between reviews identify any barriers within the wider multi-agency system to the implementation of children's plans

Chair complex strategy meetings as identified by Service Manager to ensure that timely and appropriate action is taken to investigate specific child protection concerns 2

Contribute to the response to placement disruption for children in care, including chairing Disruption Meetings as appropriate, to avoid breakdown of living arrangements and instability for children

Ensure that all Looked After Children and children subject to child protection plans fully participate in decision making that affects them relevant to their age and understanding, so they are fully engaged in decisions about them through a variety of methods including direct feedback advocacy and attendance at meetings

Lead on critical quality assurance activity to promote improvement in practice standards by monitoring and reporting on local examples of good practice by individuals and teams and any national examples identified by research or experience

Undertake Learning Together Reviews as directed by the service manager, and contribute to the case review process so as to implement sustained learning

To ensure the local authority exercises its statutory duties in relation to children in need of support, children in need of protection or children in care

Identify and provide challenge to practitioners and managers across the service in relation to practice improvement

Escalate concerns through activating the dispute resolution process, in accordance with the best interest and welfare of the child, as well as his/her human rights'. (Section 6.4 IRO Handbook )

Promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation in line with council policy and iCARE values

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job profile are indicative of the role, however they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. In addition, you will be required to undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your manager.

Benefits in this role:

* Supportive team and management
* Flexible working available
* Long term contract
* Progression opportunities

Your main responsibilities include:

* Hold and effectively manage a complex and varied caseload with appropriate supervision, guidance, and support, reflecting the function of the team and the Vulnerable People Service in accordance with policy, procedures, guidance and legislation.
* Undertake work within legislative frameworks including the preparation of written statements and representations to the judiciary at Court hearings.
* You will be accountable for complex decision making in relation to caseloads ensuring professional judgement, service user involvement, needs led assessment, critical reflection, and analysis to inform this.
* You will identify and assess levels of risk and need (within statutory frameworks) in often complex situations. Undertake safeguarding investigations and deliver protective and/or supportive services for individuals at risk and maintain up to date assessments, care plans and reviews.
* You will be preparing statements of need/care and support plans, in consultation with other agencies as appropriate, that reflect the wishes of the individual and lead to the commissioning of personalised packages of care.
* You will undertake direct work with adults and their families in line with care plans.
* You will work co-operatively with both internal and external colleagues across multi - agency boundaries.

Essential requirements:

* Social Work England registration
* Eligible to work in the UK
* 2 years+ post-qualified experience
* Degree level or equivalent in Social Work

Benefits of working with Remedy

• A personal one-one service from your highly experienced dedicated consultant.
• Top tier supplier across London giving us first access to jobs.
• Referral bonus - up to £250* per person placed.
• Double payrolls each week.