This role is for an experienced CP Chair with preferred previous experience of working under Signs of Safety model. Primarily the role is for CP chair with occasional IRO responsibilities for Looked after Children.


* In understanding the role of the IRO it must be recognised that effective care planning and the review of good social work practice are statutory duties of the LA and the IRO must fulfil this function.
* CPC/IROs must provide a statutory challenge process and hold the Council to account for their duties as Corporate Parent. This includes formal challenge to the work of senior officer on a higher grade. IROs must ensure the Council is a '' conscientious corporate parent '' for children looked after. For this reason it is essential that the DCS (delegated through senior manager the Head of Service) whose responsibility it is for QA , is accountable for the effective function of the IRO service. Section 7.16 IRO handbook 2010
* CPC/IROs are expected to demonstrate and provide leadership across the entire Childrens Service Dept and externally to the wider multi agency partnership. The CPC/IRO is a key leadership role within Quality Assurance. Whilst they don't directly manage staff they are expected to challenge the practice of managers on higher pay scales including senior managers. Their role is one of leadership and challenge. They are expected to have experience of delivering supervision.
* To ensure a high quality of planning for children and ensure that all statutory duties are carried out to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
* To chair reviews of Children Looked After and Child Protection conferences to a high standard within required statutory timescales and to the agreed Signs of Safety practice framework.
* To chair strategy meetings for complex investigations and allegations against trusted adults.


Specific Duties and Responsibilities

* To work as an independent reviewing officer for children looked after , carrying out the role in accordance with statutory guidance (IRO Handbook , Care Planning Regulations, Working Together to Safeguard Children and departmental practice standards). This includes the requirement to ;
-To monitor the performance by the Local Authority of their functions in relation to a child's case
-To facilitate and promote the participation of a child within their review and ensure that any ascertained wishes and feelings of the child are given due consideration in the planning and review process.
-To raise Dispute Resolution alerts where threshold is met and challenges can't be resolved informally.
-To chair the reviews of children looked after and monitor the child's case on an on-going basis
* To chair Child Protection conferences ensuring that these meet the quality standards laid down by the department and conform to expectation of WTSC and London Child Protection procedures.
* To provide consultation and advice on key safeguarding thresholds to Managers and Practitioners
* To undertake mid ways reviews of all children looked after or those subject to child protection plans and retain quality assurance oversight of the plans for children
* To work in conjunction with the operational managers and all other staff to ensure that child protection and looked after children systems are fully and effectively implemented within the service
* To provide consultation to professionals across the children's partnership about
child protection allegations against trusted adults in a paid or unpaid capacity .
* To convene and chair strategy meetings about complex child abuse and allegations against trusted adults
* To chair and/or be a member of the secure accommodation review panel
(under section 25 of Children's Act)
* To chair adoption and permanent fostering disruption meetings in relation to permanent placements.
* To provide advice and guidance to colleagues about legislation, government guidance, learning from audit/Serious Case Reviews and research
* To be responsible for ensuring that child protection conferences and LAC review meetings conform to statutory timescales and are carried out to a high standard
* To ensure the effective and active participation of children, young people and their
parents and wider families in child protection conferences and review meetings for children looked after.
* To promote access to advocacy services for children and families involved in the service
* To input and maintain records of child protection conferences and LAC reviews and other quality assurance oversight including midway reviews relating to children on their electronic case records.
* To work with operational managers to ensure that quality standards are met in relation to staff performance through support and challenge.
* To develop, quality assure and apply policies and procedures about Looked after
Children and Child Protection in conjunction with internal teams, senior managers and external partner agencies.
* To promote and deliver a link relationship with an identified team or service
*To carry out audits, surveys and research initiatives to support the quality assurance remit of the service.
* To monitor performance indicators and practice standards; to contribute to the production of quarterly reports for the Children's Services Department, the children's Safeguarding Board and Corporate Parenting Panel.
* To recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee to take reasonable care of self and others and to comply with the Wandsworth and Richmond Councils Health and Safety Policy and any service specific procedures / rules that apply to this role.

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV.