Independent Reviewing Officer
Southwark Children’s Specialist Services has a team of up to eight IROs who chair review meetings. As an IRO you will look at care plans and day-to-day living arrangements, and prioritise permanent long-term care arrangements, health, education, leisure, identity and contact arrangements.
For older children, IROs must ensure that there are effective plans for transition to adulthood and aftercare, including employment or further education and independent living. To ensure reviews are independent, the team is managed within the Quality Assurance Service, separately to social work services for children.
The role
You will carry a caseload of children or young people and will monitor them between the statutory review meetings. You’ll ensure that young people are aware of their rights and know how to make representations, complain or seek advocacy. It’s vital to ensure young people are involved in the meetings and their views are taken into account. You must also be skilled in communicating with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that care plans for children are followed through. Within the team, you might be asked to take lead responsibility for a defined area (eg youth offending, disabled children).
Who can apply?
IROs are qualified social workers with substantial knowledge, experience and skills in direct work and case management for children in care. It’s likely you will have worked at supervisory or management level. You must be able to provide specialist consultation, advice or training and be skilled in chairing sensitive meetings.
